US Vice-President JD Vance is due in Hungary to back veteran Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a key European ally of the Trump administration, in a tough parliamentary election. Vance is expected to address an election rally with Orban in a football stadium in Budapest on Tuesday afternoon. Last month, US President Donald Trump expressed his wholehearted support for Orban in a video message to the Hungarian Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Budapest.
The 12 April election is billed as Orban's toughest challenge in a political career spanning almost 40 years. He faces Peter Magyar, a former insider in Orban's party Fidesz, who broke away two years ago to establish the centre-right Tisza party. Polls indicate Tisza is leading Fidesz by 10% to 20%, while the pro-government Nezopont agency shows Fidesz with a narrow lead.
Orban's connection with Trump began in 2016 when he was the first EU leader to support Trump in the US presidential election, further cemented by mutual backing since then. Trump has also supported a personal deal with Orban concerning US sanctions on Russian oil companies, emphasizing the strategic partnership.
Amid these political dynamics, Hungary stands distinctly against EU calls to reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels, especially with the Druzhba pipeline from the east and the TurkStream pipeline from the south facing issues due to geopolitical tensions. Recent incidents have even led Hungary to import non-Russian oil and release fuel reserves amid a proposed terror threat towards its energy infrastructure.
With election day approaching, Vance hopes his presence will help to sway undecided Hungarian voters, reaffirming Orban as a globally recognized leader during tumultuous times.
The 12 April election is billed as Orban's toughest challenge in a political career spanning almost 40 years. He faces Peter Magyar, a former insider in Orban's party Fidesz, who broke away two years ago to establish the centre-right Tisza party. Polls indicate Tisza is leading Fidesz by 10% to 20%, while the pro-government Nezopont agency shows Fidesz with a narrow lead.
Orban's connection with Trump began in 2016 when he was the first EU leader to support Trump in the US presidential election, further cemented by mutual backing since then. Trump has also supported a personal deal with Orban concerning US sanctions on Russian oil companies, emphasizing the strategic partnership.
Amid these political dynamics, Hungary stands distinctly against EU calls to reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels, especially with the Druzhba pipeline from the east and the TurkStream pipeline from the south facing issues due to geopolitical tensions. Recent incidents have even led Hungary to import non-Russian oil and release fuel reserves amid a proposed terror threat towards its energy infrastructure.
With election day approaching, Vance hopes his presence will help to sway undecided Hungarian voters, reaffirming Orban as a globally recognized leader during tumultuous times.
