On Tuesday 7 April, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and US Vice-President JD Vance accused the European institutions of “foreign electoral interference” at a joint press conference in Budapest, just a few days before the Hungarian general elections.
The US Vice-President’s visit to the country was a strong show of support for the Hungarian leader, and he pointed the finger at “the bureaucrats in Brussels”, who are allegedly damaging the Hungarian economy and freedom of expression.
The two men also accused the Ukrainian intelligence services of meddling in the campaign. The Hungarian leader denounced “unusually crude and blatant interference by foreign intelligence services” and thanked “President Trump and Vice-President Vance for supporting Hungary”. “The most powerful country in the world is now Hungary’s ally, and Hungary’s peace and security are thus guaranteed”, Viktor Orbán added.
During the joint press conference, the US Vice-President claimed that the European Union was seeking to weaken the country’s energy independence and increase the cost of living. He also accused the EU of acting against the US administration’s peace efforts in Ukraine.
All these comments demonstrate the clear break made by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, with the country’s usual stance, which is rather reserved with regard to foreign elections.
Viktor Orbán also claimed to have discussed with JD Vance “the major issues facing Western civilisation”.
He cited “migration, gender ideology, family policy and global security”. These statements only serve to intensify the difficulties between Hungary and the EU, whose relations have been damaged by issues relating to the Rule of law, migration policy and relations with Russia.
However, the parliamentary elections to be held in Hungary on Sunday 12 April could change all that and transform the way the country is run. After sixteen years in power, Viktor Orbán faces an opposition led by MEP Péter Magyar (EPP), whose party, Tisza, is gaining ground in recent opinion polls. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)