Vice President American JD Vance has flown to Hungary to support nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán ahead of the country’s legislative elections this Sunday. They are expected to be very tight.
American Vice President JD Vance flew to Hungary on the evening of Monday, April 6 to support Donald Trump’s ally, nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, just before the upcoming legislative elections on Sunday, April 12.
“We will discuss a number of things related to the relations between the United States and Hungary. Obviously, I am sure that Europe and Ukraine and everything else will be discussed,” he told the press before departing from Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, saying he was happy to join “his good friend” Viktor Orbán.
He is accompanied on this trip by his wife Usha Vance.
“Incendiary propaganda” and “toxic” campaign
In addition to meeting with Viktor Orbán, the Vice President plans to deliver a speech on the “rich partnership between Hungary and the United States,” according to a statement from his office.
The 41-year-old conservative is one of the harshest critics of centrist and progressive European governments within the American administration, and one of the strongest supporters of radical right-wing parties in Europe.
His visit is a show of support for Viktor Orbán in the final stretch before the elections next Sunday. The Hungarian Prime Minister, in power for 16 years and close to Moscow, reportedly benefits from secret help from Russia to increase his chances of reelection.
Members of the Council of Europe recently raised concerns about the “toxic” nature of the campaign, marked by the “incendiary propaganda” from the nationalist leader, facing economic and social discontent.
Polls from independent institutes predict a landslide victory for the conservative pro-European party Tisza, led by Peter Magyar, who in less than two years has built an opposition movement capable of challenging the dominance of the Hungarian leader who has turned his country of 9.5 million people into a model of illiberal democracy.
Pro-government institutions, however, predict a win for Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz-KDNP coalition.
“Your success is our success”
Since returning to power, Donald Trump and his administration have departed from the public reserve observed by the United States regarding foreign elections.
The American administration now openly and strongly supports leaders compatible with its diplomatic priorities and ideology. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also visited Budapest in mid-February, where he wished “success” to his Hungarian ally.
“President Trump is deeply committed to your success, because your success is our success,” he declared at a press conference alongside Viktor Orbán.
In a speech at the Munich Security Conference in February, he called on Europeans to defend the threatened Western civilization, according to the Trump administration, particularly from mass immigration.
Viktor Orbán is particularly close to the American government, especially due to his anti-migrant policies. He has visited Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida several times. The American president sees him as a “truly strong and powerful leader, with a proven ability to produce phenomenal results.”
