JD Vance visits Hungary to assist Viktor Orbán

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban attends a bilateral luncheon hosted by US President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, on November 7, 2025.

Jonathan Ernst | Reuters

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán enjoys the “full and unconditional support” of US President Donald Trump – but is on track to lose the country’s election, which is shaping up to be one of the most important and contentious in Europe this year.

On Tuesday, US Vice President JD Vance will land in Hungary to offer his support to Orbán and address a campaign rally at a soccer stadium in Budapest ahead of Sunday’s election. While other European leaders have clearly sided with Ukraine in their war against Russia, Orbán maintains comparatively close relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the election campaign, he even said that the EU posed a greater threat to Hungary than Russia.

The latest polls show that Orbán and his Fidesz party are expected to lose to their main opponent, the pro-European opposition Tisza party, whose leader Peter Magyar is on track to replace Orbán after 16 years in power.

It would be a significant change in a country where discussions are dominated by concerns about migration, vulnerability to higher energy prices, corruption and breaches of the rule of law.

These violations have led to the European Commission suspending EU funds to the country – around 17 billion euros in funds are still frozen.

Magyar said releasing funds was his “top priority” and has signaled he is open to closer ties with the EU, including with a view to a possible introduction of the euro.

In an interview with the Associated Press over the weekend, Magyar said “finding compromises” is an “art.”

He added: “The world seems to be passing Europe by. Europe has lost its competitiveness. Europe does not have enough strong leaders. There are no leaders with vision and Europe is lagging behind.”

Lawyer and former government insider Peter Magyar speaks to people during a demonstration he organized in front of the Prosecutor General’s Office on March 26, 2024 in Budapest, Hungary.

Jano’s grief | Getty Images News | Getty Images

According to an analysis by the German Marshall Fund, Magyar’s premiership could mark a departure from Orbán’s confrontational foreign policy – and also bring Budapest closer to its Western allies on other issues, such as unity against Russia.

But a possible Magyar government would not be a clear break with the policies of the Orbán era.

Migration remains a contentious issue – as does support for Ukraine. Tisza has taken a cautious stance on Ukraine’s EU ambitions – even supporting Orbán’s government in the European Parliament by voting against sending troops or weapons to the front.

Energy also remains a sensitive issue. Hungary is currently in a dispute with Ukraine over oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline, which led to Budapest vetoing a €90 billion loan from the EU.

In recent weeks, Orbán has focused on allaying fears of an energy price shock stemming from the war in Iran. He accused Magyar of conspiring with the EU and Ukraine to cut Hungary off from cheap Russian oil.

The election campaign was also closely watched for possible Russian interference, with particular focus on reports of misinformation on social media.

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