politics
Trump and Vance Express Support for Hungary's Viktor Orban Ahead of Election
Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance have voiced support for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban days before Hungary's parliamentary election. Their statements come as Orban's Fidesz party faces a potential challenge from opposition groups. The election is scheduled for Sunday.
Apr 7, 4:08 PM·2m read1 source
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U.S. President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator JD Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, have publicly expressed support for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban ahead of Hungary's parliamentary election on Sunday. Trump stated, "I love Viktor," during a recent event, while Vance echoed similar sentiments in a social media post.
These comments were made as Orban's ruling Fidesz party seeks to maintain its majority in the National Assembly. Hungary's election features competition from a united opposition coalition, including parties from across the political spectrum. Polls indicate a close race, with Fidesz holding a lead but facing risks of losing ground due to economic pressures and governance issues.
The election will determine the composition of Hungary's 199-seat parliament, where Fidesz currently holds a two-thirds supermajority.
has led Hungary since 2010, implementing policies that emphasize national sovereignty and conservative values.
His government has clashed with the European Union over rule-of-law concerns, leading to withheld EU funds. Orban's international alliances include ties with Trump, stemming from shared views on migration and globalism. Trump and Orban met multiple times during Trump's presidency, including at the White House in 2019.
Vance has praised Orban's approach to border security in past statements. The timing of the recent endorsements aligns with Hungary's election campaign period, which began in February.
The election involves more than 8 million registered voters and will use a mixed system of single-member districts and proportional representation.
Opposition leaders, such as Péter Magyar of the Tisza Party, have mobilized support by criticizing Orban's handling of inflation and corruption allegations. A Fidesz victory would extend Orban's tenure, while an opposition win could lead to policy shifts on EU relations and domestic reforms.
