After Trump, Viktor Orban receives the support of two European leaders. “I have never met such a warrior”
After US Vice President JD Vance came to Budapest to convey President Donald Trump's support for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his party, FIDESZ, two European prime ministers are sending messages of support for the current leader in Budapest
“I have never met such a warrior for the sovereignty and national interests of his country as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban,” Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said, quoted by Reuters.
Fico is in his fourth term as prime minister, starting in 2023, and Slovakia has been a key ally of Hungary, with both countries maintaining close relations with Moscow, opposing European Union sanctions and continuing to buy oil and gas from Russia. Both countries have come into conflict with the European institutions regarding respect for the rule of law.
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, a billionaire businessman who transformed himself from a liberal pro-EU politician into a close ally of Orban in the European Parliament's Patriots for Europe group, also expressed his support for the FIDESZ prime minister.
“He has always fought for a stronger Europe, one built on peace, the sovereignty of nations, sovereign member states, competitiveness. In troubled times, the choice of stability and proven ability to lead matters more than ever,” Babis wrote on X.
Since Babis returned to power last year, the Czech Republic has cut aid to Ukraine and, following in the footsteps of Hungary and Slovakia, has refused to participate in the EU's 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine.
On the other hand, the Czech position towards Russia remains closer to the general current in the EU than that of Hungary and Slovakia.
FIDESZ, ranked 2nd in the polls
Just hours before the polls open in Hungary, estimates show that the current Hungarian prime minister will return to the opposition after 16 years.
The poll shows that the opposition Tisza party, led by Peter Magyar, is well ahead of Viktor Orbán's ruling Fidesz party.
According to the results, Tisza has 52.1% of the vote, compared to 39.3% for Fidesz. The same difference, 52 to 39, was given by another survey, by the Publicus Institute.
Magyar is also ahead of Orbán in terms of personal popularity.
When respondents were asked who they think is best suited for the position of Prime Minister of Hungary, 48.7% chose Magyar. Orbán was elected by 40.8%.
