PM Viktor Orbán was ready to greet him, but Romanian President Klaus Iohannis decided to wait for 20 seconds, showing his back to the Hungarian prime minister. PM Orbán did not understand the rudeness but waited for the President patiently with a confused grin.
The outgoing Romanian President Klaus Iohannis acted quite strangely when he arrived in Budapest for the EPC summit on Thursday morning. PM Viktor Orbán would have greeted him just like all other country leaders, but Iohannis did something unexpected.
After getting out of his car, he did not establish eye contact with PM Orbán and did not walk to him. Instead, he showed his back to the Hungarian prime minister for 20 seconds, standing behind his car and seemingly rearranging his clothes.
News emerged that the Hungarian police made Iohannis wait and circulate the Puskás Aréna, the venue of the summit, for 15 minutes, so the Romanian President became angry. The Romanian Antena3 news channel wrote that the driver missed the correct stadium entrance. That is why he had to do another round for 15 minutes. Iohannis is well-known for his impatient nature. In 2015, when he first arrived in Paris, he simply threw his coat on the car when nobody took it from him immediately. Even the Romanian media was startled by his deed and called it a controversial, even unfriendly gesture.
Later, the Hungarian police said such allegations were only fake news. According to hvg.hu, the police followed the protocol, and nobody missed the stadium entrance.
Here’s the video:
Romanian president Klaus Lohannis shows his back to Orban. pic.twitter.com/L7YcpVhYjv
— SzabadonMagyarul (@SzabadonMagyar) November 7, 2024
Iohannis congratulated Trump on X
Congratulating Trump, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis wrote on X: “Romania is a strong and committed Strategic Ally of the US. Through our joint efforts, we will bring peace and prosperity for both our countries and beyond, defending our common interests”, Anadolu news agency wrote.
Romania reiterates support for Moldova amid election, referendum
European leaders reiterated their support Thursday for Moldova as that country concluded a presidential election and referendum that saw accusations of external influence, particularly by President Maia Sandu.
A statement by the Moldovan presidency said Sandu held talks with several of her EU counterparts on the sidelines of the fifth European Political Community summit in the Hungarian capital of Budapest.
“We, the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom, together with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, reiterate our firm support for the Republic of Moldova following the meeting with President Maia Sandu,” it said.
It said they congratulate Moldovans for their “commitment to democracy, freedom and the rule of law,” which they said was seen in the presidential election that ended with Sandu securing a second term following a runoff earlier this month.
The statement indicated that European leaders welcomed the result of the referendum, which was held simultaneously Oct. 20, which enshrined Moldova’s EU accession aspirations in the country’s Constitution.
Moscow challenges the outcome
“We stand in solidarity with the Republic of Moldova in its quest for peace, prosperity and stability and reaffirm its rightful place in a free and democratic Europe,” it said, indicating that it happened despite “unprecedented attacks and foreign interference.”
“We strongly condemn documented attempts to influence election results through information manipulation, corruption and vote-buying schemes,” it said, adding that they reaffirm their determination to support Moldova in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Sandu won more than 55% of the vote in a presidential runoff Nov. 3, securing a second term as incumbent president. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov challenged Sandu to provide evidence of the alleged interference.
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Hopefully he ate a cabbage breakfast before turning his back to Orban.
Like many in the west, I know whom I’d trust to deal with Putin, Trump et al, and it’s not the Hungarian end….
Has Orban ever recognized current Romanian borders?
Larry just confirmed, he is a real Red Neck.
Hilly Billy