Budapest, Hungary – JD Vance has railed against the EU, accusing it of blatantly interfering in Hungary's upcoming elections, even as the US vice-president said he had travelled to Budapest to "help" Viktor Orbán win Sunday's vote.
Speaking to reporters shortly after landing in Budapest on Tuesday, Vance's tone was combative as he alleged that the EU was responsible for "one of the worst examples of foreign election interference" he had ever seen.
"The bureaucrats in Brussels have tried to destroy the economy of Hungary," he said. Gesturing to Orbán, he added: "They have tried to make Hungary less energy-independent. They have tried to drive up costs for Hungarian consumers. And they've done it all because they hate this guy."
Key developments:
- JD Vance visits Budapest to "help" Viktor Orbán win Sunday's parliamentary election
- Vance accuses EU of "blatant interference" and "trying to destroy Hungary's economy"
- Trump endorses Orbán via Vance's phone: "I love Hungary and I love that Viktor"
- Leaked transcript shows Orbán told Putin: "I am at your service" in October call
- Hungary's reliance on Russian oil has increased to 93% of crude imports
- Opposition leader Péter Magyar warns: "No foreign country may interfere in Hungarian elections"
- Orbán faces unprecedented challenge after 16 years in power
"Of Course, I Want to Help"
Vance, however, made no effort to conceal the reason he had arrived in the country five days before a heated election in which Orbán is facing the possibility of being ousted after 16 years in power. "Of course, I want to help, as much as I possibly can, the prime minister as he faces this election season," said Vance.
Later, at a campaign rally with Orbán, Vance dialled up Donald Trump, putting his phone's speaker to the on-stage microphone as the US president offered a glowing endorsement of the Hungarian prime minister. "I love Hungary and I love that Viktor," Trump told the cheering crowd. "He's done a fantastic job."
Orbán's Unprecedented Challenge
Hungarians are on Sunday due to cast their votes in a pivotal parliamentary election, in which Orbán is facing an unprecedented challenge from Péter Magyar, a former top member of the ruling Fidesz party.
The election has pitted two distinct versions of Hungary's future against each other, as Orbán and Fidesz seek to convince voters that the war in Ukraine poses a deep threat to the country and that Orbán is best placed to handle this risk, while Magyar and his Tisza party have urged voters to focus on domestic issues such as economic stagnation, fraying social services and corruption.
Orbán's Ties to Moscow
Vance's attack on Brussels came amid mounting scrutiny over Budapest's ties to the Kremlin. On Tuesday – after previous allegations that Russian intelligence agencies, along with disinformation networks with links to Russia, were working to sway the election in Orbán's favour – it was reported that Orbán had told Vladimir Putin: "I am at your service" in an October call.
On Tuesday, Bloomberg News said it had obtained a Hungarian government transcript of a call that took place between Orbán and Putin on 17 October, in which Orbán reportedly compared the relationship to that of a "mouse" standing ready to help the Russian "lion" as needed.
"Yesterday our friendship rose to such a high level that I can help in any way," Orbán reportedly told Putin in the call. "In any matter where I can be of assistance, I am at your service."
Orbán has long been the EU's most Moscow-friendly leader, maintaining Hungary's heavy reliance on Russian oil and gas while his foreign minister reportedly regularly updated his Russian counterpart with details of confidential EU meetings.
EU Hits Back
The EU, meanwhile, hit back at Vance's claims. "Going back to importing from Russia – a greatly unreliable supplier that is waging an atrocious war against Ukraine – would be a strategic mistake," said a spokesperson.
Magyar's Response
On Tuesday, Magyar, whose Tisza party is leading in most polls, directly addressed Vance's visit to Budapest. "No foreign country may interfere in Hungarian elections," he said on social media. "This is our country. Hungarian history is not written in Washington, Moscow or Brussels – it is written in Hungarian streets and squares."
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