Vance will visit Hungary to support Orban ahead of the elections

US Vice President JD Vance intends to visit Hungary in the coming days to demonstrate support for Prime Minister Viktor Orban before the April parliamentary elections, Reuters reported on Wednesday. This is intended to be another expression of support for the ruling party.

As Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with the vice president's plans, the visit is to take place in the “coming days”, although the agency reserves that due to the ongoing war with Iran, these plans may change. The Hungarian edition of the American Conservatives CPAC conference will be held on Saturday in Budapest.

US President Donald Trump has publicly supported Orban several times. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also did this during his February visit to Budapest.

“I proudly SUPPORTED Viktor in the 2022 elections and I am honored to do so again. Viktor Orban is a true friend, a fighter and a WINNER. He has my full and total support for his re-election as Prime Minister of Hungary – HE WILL NEVER LET THE GREAT NATION OF HUNGARIA DOWN!” – the president wrote in February in one of the entries on his social media platform, Truth Social. He added that Washington's relations with Budapest have reached “new heights” and he looks forward to further cooperation with him as head of government.

Despite criticism towards European allies regarding, among others, continuing to buy Russian oil and gas, Trump has repeatedly shown understanding for Budapest's refusal to become independent from supplies from Russia, claiming that Orban has no alternative. Support for Orban raises concerns among some conservative politicians in Congress due to Hungary's openness to influence and investments from China.

Parliamentary elections in Hungary will be held on April 12. Poll results suggest that his Fidesz party may lose power for the first time since 2010.

From Washington Oskar Górzyński (PAP)

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