Georgia's outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili criticized the electoral college's decision to appoint Mikheil Kavelashvili as her successor, calling it a 'parody' and a 'mockery of democracy'. Kavelashvili, a former footballer and critic of the West, was elected by 224 out of 225 electors. Zourabichvili disputes the legitimacy of the elections, alleging Russian interference and vowing to remain president despite her term ending. Protests erupted in response to the elections and the ruling party's decision to delay EU accession talks, which many view as a sign of increasing authoritarianism.