A new blow for Ursula von der Leyen, a dispute with Brussels that now seems to have no margin for reconciliation. Visit of the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán The elections that will be held in Tbilisi a few hours after the elections that declared the victory of the pro-Russian Georgian dream, and whose legitimacy has not yet been recognized by the European Union, are destined to have repercussions far beyond the Caucasus region.
The Georgia file will be pivotal in the coming days. Charles Michel has included it on the agenda of the European Union summit that will be held in just over a week in Budapest, headed by Orban. Between now and November 8, the day of the Hungarian summit, the European Union risks entering a new short circuit. The Hungarian Prime Minister, who is still subject to a freeze on EU funds, has returned to directly attacking the EU after his decision in the European Chamber at the beginning of October. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, in suspicious coordination with Moscow, congratulated him long before the results rewarded pro-Russians. A few hours later, he flew to Tbilisi to celebrate the “free and democratic” elections.
Orban stressed that the government in Georgia “is elected by the people, not by the European Union.”Pointing out that with the victory of the Georgian dream, “the country did not become another Ukraine.” In escalating tensions that also included Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, his loyal right-hand man, the Hungarian leader took it upon himself to attack von der Leyen and the leader of the European People's Party, Manfred Weber, a group to which Peter belongs. Magyar, Fidesz's main rival in his home country, is sitting.
“There is an open conspiracy led by von der Leyen and Weber. “They admitted that their goal is to replace the Hungarian government with a new one (yes, sir, ed.), just like the current Polish government,” Orbán attacked. Words that prompted Brussels to consider a counterattack. The Georgia issue will be at the center of attention of the Political and Security Committee. The European Union will await the results of the recounts decided by the Central Electoral Commission for 14% of polling stations. He will then act accordingly with regard to Georgia, bearing in mind that removing the country from the European Union has side effects on the Union itself. Compared to Orban, von der Leyen is just waiting for his presidency to end and hand over power to the Hungarian Prime Minister's new enemy: Poland's Donald Tusk.
Activating Orban's Article 7 disarmament in European forums is more important than ever. However, much will depend on what happens on Tuesday in the United States: A victory for Donald Trump would give Orban support and make his move in concert with Russia and almost all of the EU's adversaries around the world more solid and widespread. Meanwhile, the permanent representatives of the 27 countries will meet on Wednesday to discuss the joint declaration of the EU summit on November 8. The script is all about competitiveness – Mario Draghi will speak at the meeting – and sees 27 as a long way off.
The Georgia case certainly does not calm people's minds. Finally, the Orbán case may also have implications for the internal balance in the European Chamber, as the European People's Party opened the doors to voting alongside the sovereigntists, angering socialists and liberals. Voting with Orban's nationalists may be a bit more difficult for Weber. While Socialist Nicolas Schmidt, the outgoing Labor Commissioner, came with a clear warning: “The EU risks presidential drift.”
ANSA Thousands take to the streets in Georgia and a new clash between the European Union and Orban – Europe – Ansa.it Europe and the USA: “Election Investigations.” Moscow: “Do not interfere” (ANSA)
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