TBILISI, Georgia — Former soccer player Mikheil Kavelashvili was inaugurated as Georgia’s president on Sunday, consolidating the ruling Georgian Dream party’s power amid protests and accusations that the move undermines the country’s aspirations for European Union membership.

Outgoing pro-Western President Salome Zourabichvili condemned Kavelashvili’s inauguration as a “parody,” declaring herself the legitimate leader while calling for new elections.

Zourabichvili left the presidential residence at Orbeliani Palace in Tbilisi, telling supporters, “This presidential residence was a symbol as long as there was a president here who was legitimate.”

Kavelashvili, 53, ran unopposed in December’s election, winning easily due to Georgian Dream’s dominance over the electoral college that replaced direct presidential elections in 2017.

The body comprises members of Parliament, municipal councils, and regional legislatures.

In his inauguration speech, Kavelashvili vowed to serve all citizens and called for unity around “shared values” and a collective vision for the future.

The inauguration sparked protests outside the parliament, with demonstrators waving red cards symbolizing their rejection of Kavelashvili.

“Because today our president is a footballer, we are showing him a red card. The next step will be sending him off the pitch,” protester Sofia Shamanidi said.

Critics accuse Georgian Dream, founded by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, of authoritarianism and aligning with Moscow.

The ruling party has denied these allegations but continues to face backlash over laws seen as stifling dissent and restricting freedoms.

Kavelashvili, a former English Premier League striker for Manchester City, co-founded the People’s Power political movement, which has been noted for its anti-Western rhetoric.

He was one of the architects of a controversial “foreign influence” law, which led the EU to cut financial support and put Georgia’s accession on hold.

Zourabichvili, who became critical of Georgian Dream despite winning her presidency with its backing in 2018, has called for new elections to ensure the people’s will is properly represented.

“We are not demanding a revolution,” she told the Associated Press. “We are asking for new elections in conditions that ensure the will of the people will not be misrepresented or stolen again.”

The government’s heavy-handed response to protests has drawn condemnation from the United States and EU officials, with allegations of police violence, media suppression, and misuse of force to suppress dissent. — Agencies