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US Vice President JD Vance Visits Hungary to Support Viktor Orban Before National Elections
US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Hungary on Tuesday to address an election rally in support of Prime Minister Viktor Orban ahead of Sunday's parliamentary elections. Polls indicate Orban's Fidesz party trails the opposition Tisza party led by Peter Magyar. The visit occurs amid Hungary's disputes with the EU over rule of law and frozen funds.
Apr 7, 4:59 AM·2m read2 sources
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US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Budapest on Tuesday to support Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban ahead of the country's parliamentary elections scheduled for Sunday. Vance is scheduled to address an election rally at a soccer stadium in Budapest. The elections are expected to determine the direction of Hungary's foreign policy and EU relations.
Hungary's current polls show Orban's Fidesz party trailing the opposition Tisza party, led by Peter Magyar. Magyar is positioned to potentially replace Orban after 16 years in power. The opposition's rise reflects public concerns over migration, energy prices, corruption, and rule of law issues.
Orban has maintained ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, contrasting with other European leaders' support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.
Orban stated during the campaign that the EU poses a greater threat to Hungary than Russia. Tisza has adopted a cautious stance on Ukraine's EU membership ambitions and has voted alongside Orban's government in the European Parliament against sending troops or weapons to Ukraine.
The European Commission has suspended approximately 17 billion euros in EU funds to Hungary due to rule of law breaches.
Magyar has identified unlocking these funds as his top priority and indicated openness to closer EU ties, including potential adoption of the euro. Hungary is also involved in a dispute with Ukraine over oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline, which prompted Budapest to veto an EU loan of 90 billion euros.
In recent campaign efforts, Orban has emphasized risks of energy price increases linked to the war in Iran.
He accused Magyar of collaborating with the EU and Ukraine to disrupt Hungary's access to Russian oil. The campaign has drawn attention to possible Russian interference, including misinformation on social media.
