By GB News (World News) | Created at 2024-10-29 18:23:43 | Updated at 2024-10-30 17:32:17
1 day ago
Viktor Orban was booed as he left his hotel in Tbilisi, during a visit to Georgia which is embroiled in political turmoil following a disputed election victory.
The Hungarian Prime Minister arrived in the Georgian capital two days after the Russian-leading Georgian Dream party declared that it had won the country’s national election, with 54 per cent of the vote.
Orban congratulated the ruling party for its “overwhelming victory” in the elections, despite widespread concern that many voters had been intimidated and coerced.
Arriving in the city to meet Irakli Kobakhidze, Georgia’s Prime Minister, Orban said: “Hungary is a peace-loving country in Europe, and we greatly value your efforts, as you are on the side of peace too.
Viktor Orban was booed as he left his hotel in Tbilisi, during a visit to Georgia
Getty/Reuters
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze attend a joint press conference in Tbilisi
Reuters
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban attends a welcome ceremony in Tbilisi
Reuters
The vote was seen as crucial on whether Georgia would become more integrated with the EU, or turn to Russian-influenced authoritarianism.
The Kremlin has denied interfering in the election, stating that it is instead an attempt from the West to cause political turmoil in the country.
Orban’s trip to Tbilisi has angered fellow EU leaders, particularly in light of Hungary holding the rotating EU presidency.
Thirteen ministers from EU countries slammed the trip from the Hungarian PM, which was not coordinated with Brussels.
“We criticise Prime Minister Orbán’s premature visit to Georgia,” said the statement, signed by France, Germany and Poland and 10 other member states.
“He does not speak on behalf of the EU.”
Orban congratulated the ruling party for its “overwhelming victory” in the elections
Reuters
Orban “does not represent the European Union” during his visit, Josep Borrell, the EU's top diplomat, said.
“The union’s rotating president has no authority in foreign policy,” he said.
Orban has repeatedly clashed with European countries over concerns that he has undermined democratic practices in Hungary, and focused instead on forging close relationships with Russia and China outside of EU policy.
In July, Orban was embroiled in controversy when he travelled, in what the Hungarian government described as a “peace mission”, to Moscow and Beijing without coordinating with any EU members.
