JD Vance, strategic visit to Budapest on the eve of the election, in which Viktor Orban aims for victory
JD Vance will travel to Hungary next week where he will meet with Viktor Orban, just before the legislative elections that will decide the fate of the nationalist prime minister, an ally of Donald Trump, the US vice president's office announced Thursday, quoted by AFP.
He will be accompanied on this trip from April 7-8 by his wife, Usha Vance, and is scheduled to give a speech about the “rich partnership between Hungary and the United States”, according to a press release, writes Agerpres.
The 41-year-old conservative is, within the American administration, one of the fiercest critics of centrist and progressive European governments and one of the most ardent supporters of radical right-wing formations in Europe.
His visit is a show of support for Viktor Orbán in the last straight line before the April 12 election.
The Hungarian prime minister, in power for 16 years and close to Moscow, would benefit from Russia's secret help to increase his chances of being re-elected, according to analysts.
Council of Europe parliamentarians were alarmed on Wednesday by the “toxic” nature of the campaign, marked by “incendiary propaganda” by the nationalist leader, who is facing economic and social discontent.
Struggling in the polls against opposition leader Peter Magyar, Viktor Orban has singled out the European Union and, above all, Ukraine as his main targets.
Since returning to power, Donald Trump and his administration have broken with the previously observed public reserve in the United States regarding foreign elections.
The US administration now openly and firmly adopts positions in favor of leaders deemed compatible with its diplomatic priorities as well as its ideology.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Budapest a few weeks ago, where he wished his Hungarian ally “good luck.”
In February, the US president reiterated his support for the Hungarian prime minister, describing him as “a really strong and influential leader with a proven ability to produce phenomenal results.”
