Former soccer player Mikheil Kavelashvili was formally inaugurated president of Georgia on Sunday, as the ruling party tightened its grip in what the opposition calls a blow to the country’s EU aspirations and a victory for former imperial ruler Russia. Thousands of Tbilisi residents formed a human chain on Saturday as protests have continued throughout the country for over a month now. Saturday's protest, which involved members of civil society, political parties, and President Salome Zourabichvili, demanded new elections and the release of political prisoners who were arrested following anti-government protests.