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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Georgia leader starts second term | Georgia leader starts second term |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The charismatic, Western-backed Mikhail Saakashvili has begun his second term as the president of the former Soviet republic of Georgia. | The charismatic, Western-backed Mikhail Saakashvili has begun his second term as the president of the former Soviet republic of Georgia. |
| After being sworn in he met Russia's foreign minister, with both countries saying they wanted improved ties. | |
| Thousands of opposition protesters held a rally claiming the 6 January poll was rigged, even though international observers said it was democratic. | Thousands of opposition protesters held a rally claiming the 6 January poll was rigged, even though international observers said it was democratic. |
| Mr Saakashvili saw his support almost cut in half at the elections. | Mr Saakashvili saw his support almost cut in half at the elections. |
| His radical free-market reforms during his first term of office have caused widespread discontent. | His radical free-market reforms during his first term of office have caused widespread discontent. |
| Thousands took to the streets in January after Mr Saakashvili polled 53% of the vote in the presidential race, narrowly averting a run-off against his nearest rival, Levan Gachechiladze, who won 25%. | Thousands took to the streets in January after Mr Saakashvili polled 53% of the vote in the presidential race, narrowly averting a run-off against his nearest rival, Levan Gachechiladze, who won 25%. |
| Mr Saakashvili called the snap poll to resolve a crisis after suppressing anti-government rallies in November last year. | Mr Saakashvili called the snap poll to resolve a crisis after suppressing anti-government rallies in November last year. |
| Unity | Unity |
| Following the inauguration, Mr Saakashvili's opponents held their largest demonstration yet against his re-election. | |
| Reuters reports as many as 80,000 people took part in the protest, although this figure could not be confirmed. | |
| The BBC's Matthew Collin, in Georgia, says Mr Saakashvili is no longer the seemingly unchallengeable figure who was swept to power by the Rose Revolution in Georgia, four years ago. | The BBC's Matthew Collin, in Georgia, says Mr Saakashvili is no longer the seemingly unchallengeable figure who was swept to power by the Rose Revolution in Georgia, four years ago. |
| The opposition wants the election results to be overturned | The opposition wants the election results to be overturned |
| Following his inauguration ceremony on Sunday he told the crowd: | Following his inauguration ceremony on Sunday he told the crowd: |
| "We held the most democratic elections in Georgia's history and in this election you made the choice for the unity of Georgia and the democratic development of Georgia." | "We held the most democratic elections in Georgia's history and in this election you made the choice for the unity of Georgia and the democratic development of Georgia." |
| Mr Saakashvili has admitted that his attempt to salvage Georgia's devastated economy led to a difficult period of change. | Mr Saakashvili has admitted that his attempt to salvage Georgia's devastated economy led to a difficult period of change. |
| Mr Saakashvili has responded by promising to cut unemployment, increase pensions and introduce new social welfare programmes. | Mr Saakashvili has responded by promising to cut unemployment, increase pensions and introduce new social welfare programmes. |
| But he also wants to push forward with his bid to join Nato. | But he also wants to push forward with his bid to join Nato. |
| Georgia's chances were damaged when he used force to break up opposition protests two months ago. | |
| Russia ties | |
| Russia remains strongly opposed to Georgia's bid to join the Western military alliance. | Russia remains strongly opposed to Georgia's bid to join the Western military alliance. |
| This could lead to yet more disputes between Mr Saakashvili's government and the Kremlin, although both sides have said they want to improve ties. | |
| Our participation in the Georgian president's inauguration confirms Russia's sincere and deep intention to normalize relations Sergei LavrovRussian foreign minister | |
| During his inauguration speech Mr Saakashvili said that Georgia's desire to integrate with the West did not run counter to the interests of its neighbours. | |
| "I again extend a hand of partnership to our northern neighbour [Russia]. We should be friends, we should be closer and we should stand together," he said. | |
| Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attended Mr Saakashvili's inauguration and the two men met briefly afterwards. | |
| Mr Lavrov said Russia's decision to send such a high-ranking official was of "no small importance". | |
| "Our participation in the Georgian president's inauguration ceremony confirms Russia's sincere and deep intention to normalize relations with Georgia," Interfax news agency quotes him as saying. | |
| But Mr Saakashvili's immediate challenge is at home. The Georgian opposition insists his presidency is not legitimate. | |
| Our correspondent says parliamentary elections are due in the spring, which means the scene is set for what could be a turbulent start to Mr Saakashvili's second term in office. | Our correspondent says parliamentary elections are due in the spring, which means the scene is set for what could be a turbulent start to Mr Saakashvili's second term in office. |