EU High Representative Josep Borrell and Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili have emphasized that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s visit to Tbilisi, scheduled for October 28-29, represents Hungary alone – not the European Union.
The visit, which follows Georgia’s contested parliamentary elections on October 26, is expected to feature meetings with Georgian Dream leaders and a press briefing alongside Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
In an interview with a Spanish-language broadcaster, Borrell commented, “Orbán is traveling to Georgia… presumably to express his support for the Georgian government. Whatever Orbán says during his visit to Georgia, he does not represent the European Union.”
Zourabichvili echoed these sentiments to German media outlet DW, suggesting that Orbán’s visit aims to exert “psychological pressure on the population” and reaffirming that he “has no mandate from the European Union.”
German Ambassador to Georgia, Peter Fischer, underscored the distinction in a social media post: “When the Prime Minister of Hungary arrives in Tbilisi, he will speak on behalf of the Hungarian government, not the European Union.”
Orbán’s visit follows Georgia’s election, in which ruling party Georgian Dream claimed a narrow victory with 53.93% of the vote. The result is disputed, with opposition factions—including Unity – National Movement, Strong Georgia, Gakharia- for Georgia and Coalition for Changes—refusing to recognize the outcome, alleging election irregularities and fraud.
The Georgian President also rejected the election results, calling for public assembly at Parliament today to voice discontent over what she describes as “illegitimate elections.” Zourabichvili is expected to join opposition leaders in addressing demonstrators in Tbilisi.
Orbán’s delegation includes Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó and other key officials, set to meet Georgian leadership and discuss bilateral issues.
