Georgia's new president sworn in amid political showdown

Georgia's new president sworn in amid political showdown

Georgia has inaugurated a far-right governing party loyalist as president, escalating a political showdown moments after his pro-EU predecessor declared herself the "only legitimate president".

The inauguration of former footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili ratchets up a months-long political crisis that has seen huge pro-European Union demonstrations.

Outgoing head of state Salome Zurabishvili and protesters have declared Kavelashvili "illegitimate", demanding a re-run of the October general elections that they say the governing Georgian Dream party rigged.