US VP backs Orbán in Budapest, slams EU over meddling
US VP backs Orbán in Budapest, slams EU over meddling
US Vice-President JD Vance travels to Budapest to back Viktor Orbán's re-election while sparking a blunt critique of the EU, signaling shifting alliances ahead of Hungary's vote.
JD Vance, the US Vice-President, arrived in Budapest to publicly back Viktor Orbán’s re-election as Hungary heads into a tight race after 16 years in office. Standing beside Orbán, Vance said he was there to help in this campaign cycle, while noting the US would work with whoever wins the election. The visit underscores Orbán's role as a key European ally of the Trump administration and a controversial figure within the EU.
Following talks with Orbán, Vance launched a sharp critique of the European Union, accusing Brussels of meddling in Hungary’s electoral process and calling EU policy toward Ukraine one of the worst examples of foreign interference he has seen. He stressed that interference from Brussels had been disgraceful and insisted that Hungary should decide its own future.
Later, addressing a campaign rally, Vance urged voters to decide their own path, framing the vote as a choice between sovereignty and external pressure. Orbán's main rival, Péter Magyar, remains ahead in most polls, but international support for the prime minister could influence dynamics in the waning days of the campaign. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó welcomed Vance’s visit, praising the “new golden age” in relations with Washington, and reminding observers of the deep ties between Hungary and the United States. The row over EU policy and Western influence is likely to echo through polling stations as Hungarians prepare to cast ballots.
