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Saakashvili to start second term Georgia leader starts second term
(about 3 hours later)
The charismatic, Western-backed Mikhail Saakashvili is due to be inaugurated for a 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.
But Georgian opposition parties have called a demonstration against the move, claiming the recent presidential election was rigged. Georgian opposition parties have called a demonstration against his inauguration, claiming the recent presidential election was rigged.
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.
Mr Saakashvili is no longer the seemingly unchallengeable figure who was swept to power by the Rose Revolution in Georgia, four years ago. 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%.
Nato bid Mr Saakashvili called the snap poll to resolve a crisis after suppressing anti-government rallies in November last year.
He has admitted that his attempt to salvage Georgia's devastated economy led to a difficult period of change: Unity
The opposition wants the election results to be overturned"We really went through not only economic reforms, we went through cultural revolution. 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
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."
Mr Saakashvili has admitted that his attempt to salvage Georgia's devastated economy led to a difficult period of change.
In a recent speech he said: "We really went through not only economic reforms, we went through cultural revolution.
"We went through the most profound civilisation transformation you can imagine in this part of the world."We went through the most profound civilisation transformation you can imagine in this part of the world.
"And you know when we've been trying to bring society to another way of life, another way of thinking, it is painful.""And you know when we've been trying to bring society to another way of life, another way of thinking, it is painful."
Nato bid
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. Georgia's chances were damaged when he used force to break up opposition protests two months ago. The opposition is planning a rally at Tbilisi racetrack later on Sunday to call for the results to be overturned.
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 the Georgian leader says he wants to improve relations.This could lead to yet more disputes between Mr Saakashvili's government and the Kremlin, although the Georgian leader says he wants to improve relations.
But his immediate challenge is at home. The Georgian opposition insists his presidency is not legitimate.But his immediate challenge is at home. The Georgian opposition insists his presidency is not legitimate.
With parliamentary elections due in the spring, 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.