Georgia inaugurated a ruling party loyalist and former footballer as president in the midst of a political showdown on Sunday.

The inauguration of former Manchester City striker Mikheil Kavelashvili came moments after Tbilisi’s outgoing pro-EU leader declared herself the “only legitimate president” and refused to hand over the keys to the presidential palace. 

It is set to further escalate a months-long political crisis that has seen huge pro-European Union demonstrations and brutal repression.

Outgoing head of state Salome Zurabichvili and protesters have declared Mr Kavelashvili “illegitimate”, demanding a re-run of the October general elections that they say the ruling Georgian Dream party rigged.

Footage of ballot stuffing emerged in the aftermath with OSCE election observers reporting “widespread reports of pressure on voters”.