Hungary blocks EU statement on Belarus presidential election

Hungary blocked a joint statement condemning the illegitimacy of the recent Belarusian presidential elections. Sources in Brussels confirmed to RFE/RL that Hungary’s objections prevented the European Union from issuing a united stance on the matter.

The proposed statement, later shared publicly, denounced the elections as illegitimate due to “brutal and unprecedented repression, human rights violations, and restrictions on the opposition and independent media.” While Slovakia initially refrained from endorsing the joint declaration, it eventually signed on, leaving Hungary as the sole holdout.

With the lack of consensus among the 27 member states, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas released an individual statement. Kalas criticized the Belarusian elections, calling them neither free nor fair, and urged the regime in Minsk to release all political prisoners. She also reaffirmed the EU’s continued policy of sanctions against Belarus while pledging financial support for Belarusian civil society and exiled democratic movements.
Meanwhile, Belarusian state news agency Belta reported that Alexander Lukashenko won the January 26 presidential election with 86.82% of the vote. Critics have dismissed these results as fraudulent, highlighting the regime’s history of suppressing opposition voices.

The stance of Hungary and Slovakia has raised eyebrows, particularly as both countries’ leaders—Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico—maintain close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Both governments have frequently criticized the EU’s sanctions against Russia and its support for Ukraine, aligning their positions with policies that echo pro-Kremlin rhetoric.

Hungary and Slovakia’s positions have also drawn attention for their support of Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party, which has faced increasing isolation from the EU. The Georgian government has been under fire domestically for its policies, which critics compare to those of the Belarusian regime.

Mass protests erupted in Georgia in late November 2024, following the Georgian Dream government’s announcement that it would postpone discussions on EU accession negotiations until the end of 2028.

Demonstrators have demanded the release of detained protesters, new parliamentary elections, and a recommitment to European integration.
The protests were further fueled by the disputed results of Georgia’s October 2024 parliamentary elections. While official results confirmed the Georgian Dream’s majority, opposition parties, their supporters, and former President Salome Zourabichvili rejected the outcome as fraudulent. They also refused to recognize the legitimacy of Mikheil Kavelashvili, who was elected president under the disputed parliamentary majority.