Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s trip to Georgia on Monday has sparked controversy amidst allegations of election rigging in the recent parliamentary vote, as the visit, being the first by a foreign leader to congratulate the ruling Georgian Dream party, has highlighted the ongoing rift between Hungary and the European Union, The Associated Press reports.
Orbán’s trip comes as Georgian Dream faces widespread criticism over its handling of the elections. International observers, including the European Parliament, have raised concerns about the campaign’s divisive rhetoric, alleged intimidation of voters, and instances of vote-buying. The U.S. and the EU have called for a thorough investigation into the results.
The visit also underscores Georgia’s delicate position between Russia and the West. The country’s aspirations for EU membership have been complicated by the passage of a controversial “foreign influence law” in June, prompting the EU to indefinitely suspend Georgia’s application process.
President Salome Zourabichvili, a vocal critic of Georgian Dream, has rejected the official results and accused the government of working “hand-in-hand with Russia” to undermine the country’s pro-Western trajectory. She has urged the United States and the EU to support demonstrations against the election outcome.
Orbán expressed his support for Georgian Dream, emphasizing the party’s focus on peace and stability. He dismissed opposition claims of Georgian Dream’s anti-EU sentiment as “ridiculous.”
The Hungarian Prime Minister’s visit, however, has been met with criticism from the EU, which has stated that he lacks a mandate from the bloc for the trip. Orbán, known for his close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his controversial stance within the EU, currently holds the rotating presidency of the bloc.
