Daijiworld Media Network - Budapest
Budapest, Apr 7: US Vice President JD Vance met Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Tuesday ahead of Hungary’s April 12 election, a key contest that could challenge Orbán’s long hold on power.
During a joint press conference in Budapest, Vance said he wanted to support Orbán during the election period, even as he downplayed suggestions that his visit was aimed at boosting the Hungarian leader’s campaign.
Orbán, seeking a fifth term, faces mounting criticism over alleged democratic backsliding, including weakening institutional checks and increasing control over media. He is being challenged by opposition leader Peter Magyar, a former ally who launched his own party in 2024 and has accused Orbán’s Fidesz party of corruption.
A long-time ally of Donald Trump, Orbán has drawn support from conservative groups in the US. His nationalist policies, particularly on immigration, have been seen as influential among MAGA-aligned movements.
Orbán met Trump multiple times in 2024 and has frequently addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). He also maintains close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and has opposed certain European Union measures against Russia over the Ukraine conflict.
Vance credited both Trump and Orbán for efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, stating they had done more than most leaders to resolve the conflict.
While Hungary remains a member of the European Union, Orbán has often clashed with EU leaders, particularly over support for Ukraine, at times using Hungary’s veto power to block collective decisions.
Trump has already endorsed Orbán’s re-election bid, calling him a “strong and powerful” leader. Orbán, in turn, expressed gratitude to both Trump and Vance for their continued support, saying it strengthens Hungary’s security and global standing.
Vance’s visit follows a February trip by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also reaffirmed Washington’s backing of Orbán.
Earlier this year, Vance drew criticism from European leaders after remarks at the Munich Security Conference, where he urged governments to address conservative concerns on immigration and warned against what he described as a shift away from democratic values.