Orban's controversial visit to Georgia sparks outrage
Whistles, shouts, and a crowd of discontented people greeted the head of the Hungarian government in Tbilisi. Viktor Orban came to the capital of Georgia to meet and personally congratulate the ruling Georgian Dream party on their victory in the parliamentary elections. Protests continue in the country, with the opposition refusing to recognize the results.
28 October 2024 18:26
The Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, arrived for an official visit to Georgia.
On Saturday, even before the official results of the parliamentary elections in Georgia were announced, Orban was the first to congratulate the ruling Georgian Dream party on their victory.
When he departed from his hotel in Tbilisi late Monday afternoon Eastern Time, crowds had gathered outside the building. Upon seeing the head of the Hungarian government, people began shouting, accompanied by loud whistles.
The NewsGeorgia service highlighted that the Georgian Dream considers the Prime Minister of Hungary one of their main allies in Europe.
The opposition and the president do not recognize the results presented by the Central Election Commission, and observers have reported irregularities during the elections.
The President of Georgia sharply criticizes Orban's visit
On Tuesday, Orban is scheduled to hold official meetings with representatives of the Georgian authorities. The prime ministers of both countries will also address the media.
- The announced visit of the Hungarian Prime Minister to Tbilisi aims to have a psychological impact on Georgian society - declared the President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili.
- I don't think (Orban) has a mandate from the European Union. I believe that for the Georgian nation, which is very politically aware, it is clear that if he comes, it's only as a friend of the current ruling majority and will be a new attempt to make a psychological impression on society. But we are resistant to this - said Zurabishvili, as quoted by Echo of the Caucasus (a branch of Radio Free Europe).
She added that Saturday's elections were "stolen" and "the Georgian nation will confirm this on the streets."
Earlier, she called on the West to support the opposition's protests against the official results of Saturday's parliamentary elections.
Criticism from the EU
The head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, stated on Monday that the Hungarian Prime Minister indeed does not represent the European Union during his visit to Georgia.
- Hungary holds the presidency of the EU Council, but Orban does not have foreign policy competencies on behalf of the Community - he emphasized.
