Tensions are rising in Georgia, where a large number of protesters took part in a demonstration in the square in front of the Parliament in Tbilisi. The participants, who displayed Georgian, European Union and Ukrainian flags, responded to the calls of the pro-European opposition, led by President Salome Zourabichvili. The latter contested the election victory of the ruling Georgian Dream party, which she called “stolen” and accused of having ties to Russia.

A controversy has erupted in the European context, with the Union accusing Russia of trying to influence the outcome of the elections. During a two-day visit to Tbilisi, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban congratulated the ruling party on its “overwhelming victory.” Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said that the winners of the elections were not those designated by Brussels or mainstream liberalism, but the Georgian Dream, describing it as a sovereign party that puts national interests first.

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, responded by stressing that Orban “does not represent” the Union and has no political authority. Zourabichvili also confirmed that Orban came as a “friend of the current government” and had not scheduled official meetings with her. In an interview with France24, Zourabichvili accused Georgian Dream of devising a plan to tamper with the elections as a “proxy of Moscow.” He acknowledged the difficulties in providing definitive evidence but said that there was numerical evidence and that the ongoing protests reflected the sentiment of the Georgian population.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for a swift and transparent investigation into the irregularities reported by international observers. European affairs ministers from thirteen member states called Orban’s visit “premature” and also called for an impartial investigation. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken denounced state abuses and intimidation during the elections.

From Russia, Dmitry Peskov called the Georgian president’s statements an attempt to destabilize the country and denied any Russian interference in the vote. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze also denied any favoritism towards Moscow over the European Union. He reiterated that Georgia’s integration into the EU remains a key priority for Tbilisi by 2030.