JD Vance defends backing ‘great guy’ Orbán’s campaign after landslide defeat
JD Vance defends backing ‘great guy’ Orbán’s campaign after landslide defeat
US Vice President JD Vance has defended his decision to visit Hungary for a two-day campaign trip in support of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, just days before the opposition party Tisza secured a decisive victory. Vance praised Orbán as a “great guy” who has “done a very good job” and highlighted his willingness to challenge Brussels’ bureaucratic influence, calling him one of the few European leaders to take such a stance.
“One of the few European leaders we’ve seen who’s been willing to stand up to the bureaucracy in Brussels,” Vance stated during a Fox News interview.
Despite Orbán’s defeat, Vance expressed confidence in the US’s ability to collaborate with the new government. Péter Magyar, the leader of Tisza, initially criticized the US intervention, asserting that “no foreign country may interfere in Hungarian elections.” However, he later acknowledged the importance of the US as a strong NATO ally and said he would engage with them if contacted.
Orbán will continue as Hungary’s caretaker leader until Magyar’s formal inauguration. The three parliamentary leaders of Tisza have been invited to meet President Tamás Sulyok on Wednesday, who is tasked with assembling the new parliament and recommending the next prime minister by 12 May. Magyar urged Sulyok to act swiftly, labeling him a “puppet” of the previous administration.
Magyar, who aims to lead Hungary into a new era, has outlined plans to address corruption and economic challenges. With a “super majority” of 137 seats, he believes Tisza will further expand its parliamentary dominance. This majority empowers the new government to amend the constitution and reverse policies implemented under Orbán’s leadership.
“Hungary is the poorest and most corrupt member of the European Union,” Magyar stated, pledging to establish an Anti-Corruption Office and a National Asset Recovery and Protection Office.
Magyar also emphasized the need to unlock billions in suspended EU funds and loans. Over €17bn in financial support has been frozen due to concerns over rule of law and democratic backsliding under Orbán’s tenure, with an additional €16bn in defense loans pending approval. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted her conversation with Magyar on Tuesday, underscoring the urgency of restoring European values and legal frameworks.
Meanwhile, EU leaders are pushing for Hungary to lift Orbán’s veto on €90bn in Ukraine aid, which was imposed weeks before the election. Magyar dismissed the veto as irrelevant, pointing out Hungary was among three nations that opted out of the loan last December. Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who met Magyar in Munich earlier this year, has called for rapid release of the aid, with Berlin set to be one of the first foreign destinations for the new leader.
