**New President Sworn in Amid Protests**
Mikheil Kavelashvili, a loyalist of Georgia’s ruling party, was sworn in as the country’s new president on Sunday. This comes after outgoing President Salome Zurabishvili declared herself the “only legitimate president” and vacated the presidential palace.
**Repressive Laws Signed into Effect**
Immediately after being sworn in, Kavelashvili signed a series of repressive laws, including a ban on wearing face masks during demonstrations. These laws were rushed through by the GD parliament following a brutal crackdown on protesters.
**Protests Continue**
Thousands of people took to the streets over the weekend to protest against the ruling Georgian Dream’s reversal on the EU path. The protests, known as the “Chain of Unity,” have been ongoing for over a month now. Despite the cold and rainy weather, thousands of people joined the demonstrations in cities like Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kutaisi.
**President Joins Protesters**
Outgoing President Salome Zurabishvili even joined the line to hold hands with protesting citizens. For more updates on the Georgian resistance, visit our Liveblog.
**Former Ministry Official Speaks Out**
In an interview, Irakli Shaishmelashvili, a former head of the Interior Ministry’s Special Task Unit, revealed systemic problems within the Ministry. He spoke of methods used to disperse protests and hinted at Bidzina Ivanishvili’s potential involvement in decision-making processes.
**Georgian Ambassadors Meet**
The Georgian ambassadors gathered for their annual conference on December 28. The Foreign Minister, Maka Botchorishvili, urged diplomats to demonstrate courage and protect national interests.
**US Imposes Sanctions**
On December 27, the US imposed sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili, the patron of the ruling party and the country’s de facto leader. The sanctions were for “actions or policies that undermine democratic processes or institutions” in favor of Russia.
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