Orban Defies EU Criticism, Calls Disputed Georgian Election “Fair and Democratic”
In a visit to Tbilisi on Tuesday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban lauded Georgia’s ruling party for its victory in a contested election, stirring controversy within the European Union. Orban praised the election as “free and democratic,” despite multiple allegations of electoral irregularities from international observers, opposition parties, and pro-Western Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, who called the vote a “Russian special operation.”
Orban’s visit to congratulate Georgian Dream, the ruling party, came just three days after the election, which resulted in significant backlash across Georgia and drew concerns from the EU and the United States. Orban’s statements reflected his oft-repeated criticism of the EU’s handling of conservative governments in Europe, claiming, “If liberals win, they say it’s democratic, but if conservatives win, there’s no democracy.” His remarks followed a meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, where he dismissed EU concerns, stating, “You shouldn’t take them too seriously.”
Disputes over Election Integrity
Georgia’s recent election has been marred by allegations of voter fraud, intimidation, and violence, with calls for a thorough investigation into alleged misconduct. The Georgian monitoring group “My Vote” documented an extensive list of irregularities, including vote-buying, ballot-stuffing, and coercive tactics targeting public employees such as teachers, bus drivers, and cleaners. The monitoring group claimed that in the days leading up to the election, individuals’ IDs were either collected or withheld as a form of control, and vulnerable families were offered financial aid in exchange for votes.
On election day, observers documented multiple cases where they were prevented from doing their jobs, and instances of “carousel voting” were reported. This practice allowed individuals to vote multiple times using various IDs or moving between polling stations. According to “My Vote,” as many as 300,000 votes across 196 polling stations could have been manipulated, raising serious doubts about the legitimacy of the outcome.
Despite these reports, Georgian Prime Minister Kobakhidze denied any significant wrongdoing, maintaining that the elections adhered to legal standards. Georgian Dream’s victory, announced by the Central Election Commission with 54% of the vote, secured the party’s hold on parliament, a result that many opposition parties and the Georgian president have condemned as a stolen victory. President Zourabichvili, a pro-Western figure, has been vocal in her criticism, refusing to recognize the election results and accusing the government of pushing Georgia closer to Russia’s sphere of influence.
EU and US Call for Transparent Investigation
The EU and the US have both called for an independent probe into the alleged election misconduct, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressing concerns over electoral integrity in Georgia. Von der Leyen underscored that “Georgians have a right to see that electoral irregularities are investigated swiftly, transparently, and independently,” highlighting fears that Georgia’s political trajectory may be veering away from Western values.
The EU, currently chaired by Hungary, distanced itself from Orban’s endorsement of the Georgian government’s election, stressing that Orban’s visit and comments did not represent the collective stance of the EU’s 27 member states. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, who accompanied Orban, criticized the EU’s decision not to recognize the election result, calling it a disgrace, but did not address the extensive reports of violations by independent monitors.
Mounting Pressure on Georgia’s Electoral Commission
Georgia’s Central Election Commission has come under intense scrutiny for its handling of the election. Opposition leaders and civil society organizations, including Transparency International, allege that the commission is heavily influenced by the ruling party. “This state is captured,” said Eka Gigauri of Transparency International, underscoring concerns over the commission’s objectivity.
In response to criticism, the election commission announced it would conduct a recount in five polling stations in each of Georgia’s 84 districts, a move some critics view as insufficient. The commission dismissed allegations of vote duplication, asserting that the US-based electronic voting system used during the election makes it impossible for individuals to vote multiple times with the same ID. They added that attempts to cast doubt on the system equated to denying reality.
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However, skeptics argue that the recount is unlikely to address the root issues and have called for more extensive reforms to prevent future manipulations. President Zourabichvili has voiced doubts over the commission’s impartiality, asserting that non-governmental organizations have little influence over its actions and accusing it of protecting the ruling party’s interests.
Growing Anti-Government Protests
Orban’s arrival in Tbilisi coincided with large-scale protests across the capital, where tens of thousands of Georgians demonstrated against what they see as a rigged election and a move away from European integration. Protesters voiced fears that Georgia’s ties with Russia would deepen under the current administration, which they view as increasingly authoritarian.
The demonstrations reflect deepening polarization within Georgia, as many citizens continue to push for stronger alignment with the EU, contrasting with the government’s perceived pivot towards Moscow. This tension is likely to persist as Georgians await any potential EU action in response to Orban’s endorsement and the ongoing calls for election reforms.
As Hungary’s Orban continues to court alliances with other conservative leaders globally, his support for Georgia’s contested election has underscored divisions within the EU and poses questions about the future of Georgian democracy and its alignment on the global stage.
