US Vice-President JD Vance has entered Hungary's election fray, throwing his support behind Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and levelling fresh criticisms against the European Union.
Vance, speaking alongside Orbán in Budapest, stated his presence was to "help him in this campaign cycle," though he acknowledged that the US would "work with whoever wins this election."
Orbán faces his most significant electoral challenge in almost four decades from Péter Magyar, who leads in most opinion polls.
The arrival of Vance and his wife Usha in Budapest precedes the April 12th vote and represents the first high-level US delegation visit to Hungary in twenty years. They were met by Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, who remarked that Orbán's connection with Donald Trump had inaugurated a "new golden age" in their bilateral relations.
Magyar welcomed the US visit, indicating that his Tisza party would also prioritize US relations if elected, both as a NATO ally and an economic partner.
Following discussions with Orbán, Vance strongly condemned the EU and Ukraine, accusing Brussels of meddling in Hungarian affairs.
He characterized the situation as "one of the worst examples of foreign election interference that I have ever seen or ever even read about… because they hate this guy."
Vance further explained that his visit was partly motivated by the "truly disgraceful" interference emanating from the European Union bureaucracy.
Addressing supporters at a rally, he urged voters to make their decision on the country's future without external pressure or dictation, stating, "I’m not telling you exactly who to vote for but what I am telling you is that the bureaucrats in Brussels, those people should not be listened to."
He concluded by encouraging voters to "go to the polls in the weekend, stand with Viktor Orbán, because he stands for you."
EU leaders have voiced dissatisfaction with Orbán's continued blocking of funding for Ukraine, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz labelling it "a gross act of disloyalty."
Vance also reiterated claims, unsupported by evidence, that elements within Ukrainian intelligence services had attempted to influence elections in other countries, including the US and Hungary.
Orbán has made opposition to Ukraine and its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, a cornerstone of his campaign.
Tensions heightened following the discovery of explosives near the TurkStream gas pipeline close to Hungary's border. Ukraine denied any involvement, calling the incident a "Russian false-flag operation."
Opposition figures, including Magyar, have accused Orbán and Serbian President Alexander Vucic of orchestrating the incident to bolster their electoral prospects.
Orbán's political alignment with Trump dates back to 2016, when he was the sole EU leader to endorse Trump's presidential bid. The Hungarian leader also backed Trump's 2024 re-election campaign and successfully negotiated exemptions from US sanctions on Russian energy for Hungary.
Trump subsequently praised Orbán at a campaign rally, referring to him as "a fantastic man" and emphasizing their "tremendous relationship."
Hungary continues to depend heavily on Russian oil and gas, resisting EU directives to diversify its energy sources. However, supply interruptions have compelled Budapest to draw on reserves and source alternative fuels via Croatia.
Recent controversies have also impacted Orbán's campaign. Leaked communications purportedly show Szijjártó discussing sensitive EU matters with Russian officials and advocating on Moscow's behalf, claims he dismissed as "normal diplomacy."
The European Parliament has described Hungary as a "hybrid regime of electoral autocracy," and Transparency International ranks it as the most corrupt nation within the EU.
Billions of euros in EU funding remain suspended due to concerns over the rule of law and governance standards in Hungary.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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