Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is scheduled to visit Georgia on Monday to meet with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze following a highly disputed election.

This visit signals Orbán's support for the ruling Georgian Dream party, which has claimed victory despite accusations of election irregularities and voter intimidation.

The European Union voiced “serious concerns” on Sunday regarding the election, which took place on Saturday. The EU cited widespread irregularities, a polarizing campaign environment, and recent legislative changes that could have compromised the electoral process.

Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, expressed disappointment, stating that the election fell short of democratic standards.

In response, Kobakhidze, a member of the Georgian Dream party, dismissed allegations of misconduct, emphasizing that Orbán’s two-day visit marks international support. Hungary currently presides over the Council of the European Union.

Orbán, known for his contentious positions within the EU, has previously faced criticism for visits to Russia and China, aligning himself with policies that contrast sharply with EU priorities. His upcoming visit to Georgia is viewed by officials as another instance of Orbán’s defiance of EU positions.

European Council President Charles Michel had earlier called on the Georgian election commission to conduct a “swift, transparent, and independent investigation” into the alleged violations. The United States also weighed in, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging a thorough examination of the reported fraud. Photo by European People's Party, Wikimedia commons.