Hungarian PM Orban faces protests on visit to Georgia
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 are ongoing in the country, and the opposition does not recognise the results.
28 October 2024 21:11
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 left the hotel in Tbilisi on Monday late afternoon, crowds stood outside the building. At the sight of the head of the Hungarian government, people started shouting, and loud whistles could also be heard.
The NewsGeorgia service emphasised that the Georgian Dream considers the Prime Minister of Hungary one of their main allies in Europe.
The opposition and the president do not recognise the results presented by the Central Election Commission, and observers report irregularities during the elections.
The president of Georgia sharply criticises Orban's visit
On Tuesday, Orban is set to have official meetings with representatives of the Georgian authorities. The prime ministers of both countries will also make a statement to the media.
- The announced visit of the Hungarian Prime Minister to Tbilisi is intended 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, and 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 the 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 appealed to the West to support the opposition 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 does indeed 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 emphasised.
