Lelo’s Gegelia: Christ is risen! Hungary returned to Europe

Grigol Gegelia, a member of the Strong Georgia–Lelo party, has commented on the victory of the opposition party Tisza in Hungary’s parliamentary elections, extending his congratulations to Péter Magyar.

“Christ is Risen! Congratulations! Hungary has returned to Europe! On behalf of Strong Georgia, I congratulate Péter Magyar, the entire Hungarian nation, and the international community, which has waited sixteen years for this day, for the end of the Orbán regime and Hungary’s return to the embrace of free Europe. Yesterday proved that even autocratic regimes can be brought to an end through the ballot box. Yesterday, the Hungarian people triumphantly defeated at the polls a regime that was far more powerful, far more resourceful, and far more entrenched than the Georgian Dream.

Despite a playing field of total inequality, a state apparatus tailored to a single party, a system rigged in advance, colossal administrative resources, a privatised constitution, tens of billions corruptly plundered, and an absolute media monopoly, the Orbán regime was utterly destroyed. Because the struggle is always worth fighting. Because no system is impregnable. Because no rigged system can withstand the will of the people when citizens rise en masse against a regime at the ballot box. Because perseverance, courage, and belief in democratic values can overcome fear and manipulation.

Hungary’s return to Europe is a direct defeat for Moscow. By the domino effect, we shall soon witness the same in Slovakia, Czechia, Serbia, and, of course, in Georgia, where a corrupt Russian satellite, an anti-Georgian regime forced upon Georgians against their will, continues to strangle our country in corruption and Russification.

Yesterday, the Hungarian people finished off the only partner the Georgian Dream had left in Europe, and very soon, the Georgian people will finish off its satellite regime here. Georgia’s democratic forces must draw a vital lesson from Magyar’s struggle: rather than resigning himself to injustice within a rigged system, he chose the hard fight, and instead of boycotting elections or hanging his head in defeat, he entered a wholly unequal contest.

The principal lesson is plain: struggle instead of boycott! Democratic optimism instead of electoral nihilism! Return politics to the people and place it in their service! This has been, is, and shall remain the central conviction of Strong Georgia in our fight against the regime.

Once again, I congratulate the Hungarian people. Once again, I call upon the Georgian people to keep fighting. Very soon, we too shall celebrate a decisive victory over the corrupt Russian regime in Georgia!”, Gegelia stated.