For Orbán – who has ruled Hungary for 16 years and built a system he calls “democracy without freedom” – the visit is an opportunity to show international support at a crucial time in the campaign. POLITICO Poll shows Fidesz following Tisza’s Magyar opposition party.
Vance is not the first senior US leader to be sent to Budapest ahead of an election. His journey follows February visit and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who declared a “golden age” in US-Hungary relations.
The campaign trail has seen controversy and accusations of foreign interference that extend beyond the United States
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó he admitted talking to Russian officials with EU ministers weighing new sanctions, with reports suggesting that Budapest wanted to weaken measures targeting Russian elites and oil exports. At the same time, documentary and independent journalists, Lot Priceallegations of widespread vote-buying and voter pressure in rural areas – allegations the government has dismissed as politically motivated.
Hungary has been in this position before. In 2022, A united opposition was also expected to oppose Orbán – for Fidesz alone to win two-thirds of the majority.
