Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban defended the results of Georgia’s recent parliamentary elections as “indisputable” during a press conference with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Tbilisi on Tuesday. Orban, who is on a controversial visit to the country, asserted that the elections were free and democratic.
His visit, which started late Monday, has faced criticism from the EU, which clarified that Orban does not represent the bloc. The timing of his trip coincided with large protests in Tbilisi against the election results, where the ruling Georgian Dream party garnered 54% of the vote. This outcome has been rejected by President Salome Zourabichvili and various opposition parties.
Addressing expected criticism from Europe, Orban advised Kobakhidze not to take it “too seriously,” suggesting that debates of this nature are common in Brussels. He remarked that when conservative parties win, criticisms arise regarding democracy, while liberal victories are often celebrated.
Orban commended the Georgian government for preventing the country from becoming “another Ukraine.” In response, Kobakhidze expressed gratitude for Hungary’s support in Georgia’s pursuit of EU integration, emphasizing that this remains Tbilisi’s top foreign policy goal, with Hungary’s role being “invaluable.” Both the EU and the US have called for investigations into alleged election irregularities.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE