JD Vance flew to Hungary on Monday evening. The American vice president wants to show his support for Viktor Orban, who is facing challenges ahead of the upcoming elections on Sunday.
While Donald Trump has focused on the Middle East war, his vice president is pampering his supporters. JD Vance flew to Hungary to show his support for Viktor Orban, who is in a tight race just days before the upcoming elections.
“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 detailed, pleased to visit “his good friend.”
On site, the Republican will meet with Viktor Orban before delivering a speech on the “strong partnership between Hungary and the United States.” Since Donald Trump’s term began, JD Vance has been known for his dislike of European and progressive governments, and his support for radical right-wing parties.
Polls show Orban losing to a pro-European
Nationalist Viktor Orban is a major figure in Europe. He is particularly close to the American government, especially due to his anti-migrant policies and frequent visits to Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
He has also made headlines recently by rejecting European aid to Ukraine. But after 16 years in power, his authority may be challenged in the upcoming legislative elections this Sunday, with an uncertain outcome.
Independent polls predict a landslide victory for the conservative pro-European party Tisza and its leader Peter Magyar, who has managed to build an opposition movement capable of shaking the dominance of the Hungarian leader. However, pro-government institutions predict a win for Viktor Orban’s Fidesz-KDNP coalition.
Recently, members of the Council of Europe raised concerns about the “toxic” nature of the campaign, marked by the “incendiary propaganda” of the nationalist leader, amid economic and social discontent. Analysts believe that the current regime may be receiving covert help from Russia to increase its chances of reelection.
The United States fully invested in his reelection
Since returning to power, Donald Trump and his administration have departed from the previous US policy of neutrality in foreign elections. The American government now openly and strongly supports leaders aligned with its diplomatic priorities and ideology.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also visited Budapest in mid-February, expressing his support for his Hungarian ally.
“The president Trump is deeply committed to your success, because your success is our success,” he declared in a press conference alongside Mr. Orban.
In a speech at the Munich Security Conference in February, he urged Europeans to defend the threatened Western civilization, particularly against mass immigration. The American president sees him as a “truly strong and powerful leader, with a proven ability to produce phenomenal results.”
