JD Vance Accuses EU of Election Interference in Hungary
JD Vance has publicly accused the European Union of direct interference in Hungary’s forthcoming elections, coinciding with a visit to Budapest where the US vice-president expressed his intention to support Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in the upcoming Sunday vote.
Upon arrival in Budapest on Tuesday, Vance adopted a confrontational tone, asserting that the EU’s actions represented “one of the worst examples of foreign election interference” he had witnessed.
“The bureaucrats in Brussels have tried to destroy the economy of ,”
he stated, gesturing towards Orbán.
“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.”
Vance openly acknowledged the purpose of his visit, which came five days before a contentious election where Orbán faces the possibility of losing power after 16 years.
“Of course, I want to help, as much as I possibly can, the prime minister as he faces this election season,”he said.
Later that day, at a campaign rally alongside Orbán, Vance amplified former US President Donald Trump’s endorsement by placing Trump’s phone on speaker to broadcast his praise for the Hungarian leader.
“I love Hungary and I love that Viktor,” Trump told the enthusiastic crowd. “He’s done a fantastic job.”
Hungarians are voting in a pivotal parliamentary election where Orbán confronts a significant challenge from Péter Magyar, a former senior member of the ruling Fidesz party.
The election contrasts two visions for Hungary’s future. Orbán and Fidesz emphasize the ongoing war in Ukraine as a central threat, positioning Orbán as the best candidate to manage this risk. In contrast, Magyar and his Tisza party urge voters to focus on domestic issues such as economic stagnation, deteriorating social services, and corruption.
During Tuesday’s press conference, Vance aligned with Orbán’s narrative portraying Ukraine as Hungary’s primary threat. He claimed awareness of Ukrainian intelligence efforts to influence American elections.
“This is just what they do,”Vance said, singling out
“people in the Ukrainian system”who campaigned with Democrats ahead of the 2024 US presidential election.
Hours later, Orbán shared a video on social media featuring Vance praising him for maintaining Hungary’s strength and prosperity. Vance described Orbán as
“one of the only true statesmen in Europe.”
This praise comes amid deteriorating relations between Orbán and the EU, marked by disputes over migration, rule of law, and most recently, the conflict in Ukraine.
At the evening rally, termed a “Day of Friendship” event, Vance intensified his criticism of the EU.
“I’m not telling you exactly who to vote for, but what I am telling you is that the bureaucrats in Brussels, those people, should not be listened to,”he said.
“Listen to your hearts, listen to your souls, and listen to the sovereignty of the Hungarian people.”
He continued,
“I see that those who hate Europe the most, who hate its borders, its energy independence, the people who hate its Christian heritage, they hate one man above all others and his name is Viktor Orbán. And if they hate him, it means he’s on your side.”
Vance’s denunciation of Brussels occurred amid increasing scrutiny of Budapest’s connections to the Kremlin. On Tuesday, following reports that Russian intelligence and disinformation networks linked to Russia were attempting to influence the election in Orbán’s favor, it emerged that Orbán had told Vladimir Putin in an October phone call,
“I am at your service.”
Bloomberg News published a Hungarian government transcript of the 17 October call, in which Orbán reportedly likened their relationship to a “mouse” ready to assist 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 any matter where I can be of assistance, I am at your service.”
Orbán has long been regarded as the EU’s most Moscow-friendly leader, maintaining Hungary’s heavy dependence on Russian oil and gas. His foreign minister reportedly provided his Russian counterpart with confidential EU meeting details and information on the EU sanctions list favorable to Moscow.
Vance commended Orbán as a
“great example”in Europe regarding energy security and independence, seemingly referencing Hungary’s continued reliance on Russian energy imports.
He criticized European leaders for what he described as a
“huge mistake”in cutting off oil and natural gas from the east. A report indicated Hungary’s dependence on Russia had increased since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with Russia supplying 93% of the country’s crude oil imports compared to 61% in 2021.
Vance’s statements appeared to contradict US efforts urging allies to reduce reliance on Russian energy. Former President Trump has similarly criticized other EU countries for ceasing imports of Russian fossil fuels in response to the war.
The EU responded to these claims, with a spokesperson stating,
“Going back to importing from Russia – a greatly unreliable supplier that is waging an atrocious war against Ukraine – would be a strategic mistake.”
In the transcript of the October call, Putin praised Hungary’s
“independent and flexible”stance on the war in Ukraine.
“It is incomprehensible to us that such a balanced, middle-ground position only generates counterarguments,”Putin said, according to the transcript.
Hungary, which has diverged from most EU countries by refusing to provide financial aid or weapons to Ukraine, received further praise from Vance.
“Your leadership has been a far, far more important and constructive partner for peace than almost anyone, anywhere else in the world,”the US vice-president told Orbán.
Vance lauded Orbán—whose government has been criticized for undermining press freedom, facing accusations of no longer being a full democracy, and ranking as the most corrupt in the EU—as an ally to Trump in defending Western civilization.
When questioned about the US administration’s willingness to cooperate with a different Hungarian government should Orbán lose, Vance affirmed such cooperation would be possible but expressed confidence in Orbán’s reelection.
“Viktor Orbán is going to win the next election in Hungary, so I feel very confident about that and about our continued positive relationship,”he said.
As Orbán and Fidesz trail in some polls, right-wing leaders from other countries have rallied behind him, elevating the election in this Central European nation of approximately 9.5 million people to a global stage, symbolizing the resilience of far-right movements.
On Tuesday, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party leads most polls, addressed Vance’s visit directly.
“No foreign country may interfere in Hungarian elections,”he stated 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.”
