Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has pledged to veto proposed EU sanctions targeting Georgian officials, describing them as “unjustified.” The remarks, made during a press conference with Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili in Budapest, come as protests continue in Georgia following contested elections that have drawn widespread international criticism.
Hungary’s Opposition to EU Sanctions
The European Union has floated sanctions against Georgia’s Interior Minister and two senior police officials over concerns about election irregularities and violent crackdowns on protesters. The sanctions, announced on Monday, also reflect the EU’s unease with Georgia’s decision to suspend accession talks until 2028.
Szijjártó denounced the EU’s approach, framing the proposed measures as a politically motivated attack on Georgia’s sovereignty. “Hungary and Georgia are both led by patriotic governments that face ideological hostility from the liberal mainstream,” he claimed, echoing Hungary’s broader grievances with the EU’s perceived interference in national affairs.
Protests Erupt Over Election Controversy
While Hungary aligns itself with the ruling Georgian Dream party, the situation in Georgia remains volatile. Large-scale protests have erupted in Tbilisi since the election results, with demonstrators alleging electoral manipulation and calling for new elections. The government has rejected these demands and responded with force, deploying water cannons and tear gas against protesters, with reports of beatings and mass arrests during clashes.
The Georgian Dream party, which Szijjártó described as “peace-oriented, family-focused, patriotic, and conservative,” has faced mounting criticism domestically and internationally. Opposition groups accuse the government of undermining democratic institutions, and the EU has condemned the elections as flawed.
Szijjártó dismissed these criticisms, accusing the EU of disrespecting the will of Georgian voters. “When conservative, patriotic parties win elections, the liberal mainstream questions the system’s democratic legitimacy. When liberal parties win, they celebrate democracy,” he said.
Hungary’s Diplomatic Gamble
Szijjártó’s stance underscores Hungary’s willingness to challenge EU consensus, even at the cost of further isolating itself within the bloc. By offering unwavering support to the Georgian government, Hungary risks aligning itself with an administration accused of democratic backsliding and repression.
The Hungarian government’s rhetoric has further polarised the situation. Szijjártó claimed that the EU’s criticism of the elections “humiliates the entire Georgian nation,” while praising Georgia’s decision to prioritise sovereignty over EU integration—a move that has alienated significant portions of its population.
EU-Georgia Relations in Crisis
Hungary’s support comes at a precarious time for EU-Georgia relations. The European Parliament’s condemnation of the elections reflects broader concerns about democratic erosion and human rights violations. Yet Hungary’s narrative diverges sharply, framing EU criticism as an ideological attack on conservative values.
Szijjártó pledged Hungary’s continued support for Georgia’s EU aspirations, despite the government’s decision to halt accession talks. “Brussels’ attitude risks alienating Georgia,” he said, suggesting that Hungary’s approach offers a more constructive alternative. However, this optimism appears increasingly detached from the on-the-ground reality in Tbilisi, where discontent with the ruling party is intensifying.
The Bigger Picture
Hungary’s willingness to veto sanctions reflects its broader strategy of undermining EU cohesion on contentious issues. This approach complicates the EU’s efforts to present a unified front on governance and human rights, particularly in its eastern neighbourhood.
For Georgia, Hungary’s backing may provide short-term diplomatic cover but does little to address the growing domestic unrest. As protests persist and international scrutiny mounts, the Georgian government’s legitimacy appears increasingly fragile—a reality that Hungary’s support cannot obscure.
By aligning itself with a controversial administration, Hungary risks eroding its own credibility within the EU, while the broader crisis in Georgia highlights the fragility of European engagement with its eastern partners.
