Trump plays on Orban, but prepares to retreat

US Vice President J.D. Vance has sharply criticized the European Union's "shameful" interference in the Hungarian elections, while praising Prime Minister Viktor Orban as an ally of Donald Trump in the defense of Western civilization.

Vance's visit to Budapest, just days before an election that independent polls show Orban could lose, underscores how crucial Trump's MAGA movement considers his reelection.

Since returning to power, Trump and his administration have broken with the principle common among Western democracies - and adhered to by previous US presidents - of not taking sides in foreign elections. Instead, the Trump administration has openly shown support for leaders it sees as aligned with MAGA ideology and foreign policy priorities, regardless of their democratic credibility, writes The Guardian.

The visit raised questions about why Vance and his wife, Usha, would take the time to visit Budapest at a time when the US is facing the threat of escalation in a war against Iran.

Reuters reports that Vance's attacks on Brussels are likely to deepen divisions between Washington and European leaders, alarmed by Trump's war on Iran and other policies.

"What has happened in this country, what is happening in the middle of this election campaign, is one of the worst examples of foreign interference in an election that I have ever seen or even read about," Vance said at a press conference.

"The bureaucrats in Brussels have tried to destroy the economy of Hungary. They have tried to make Hungary less energy independent. They have tried to increase costs for Hungarian consumers - and all because they hate this man (Orban)."

Vance, whose visit to Budapest ahead of the April 12 election prompted warnings from Orban's rival Peter Magyar about "foreign interference" in Hungary, said other European countries should follow Orban's energy policies.

However, it was not immediately clear whether this refers to imports of Russian oil and gas. Orban has maintained close relations with Moscow and claims that Russian energy resources are of crucial importance to Hungary.

Trump has already personally endorsed Orban (62) as a "really strong and powerful leader," and Vance has showered praise on the Hungarian prime minister's policies, from energy to the war in Ukraine.

"I am here for the moral cooperation between our two countries, because what the United States and Hungary together represent under Viktor's leadership and under President Trump's leadership is the defense of Western civilization."

Orban, who is facing the toughest election race of his career after 16 years in power, hailed a "golden era" in Hungarian-US relations under Trump's leadership.

Reuters reports that Orban's "illiberal democracy" reflects key themes of America in the Trump era: tough anti-immigration policies, contempt for liberal norms, hostility to global institutions, and attacks on the media, universities and NGOs. He was the first European leader to endorse Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign.

Orban has long been at odds with the EU over a range of issues, including Ukraine. He has refused to send arms to Ukraine, blocked a €90 billion EU loan package for Kiev and has said Ukraine can never become a member of the bloc. He has also accused the EU and Ukraine of trying to interfere in Sunday's elections and claims that Ukraine wants to disrupt Hungary's energy supplies, a claim Kiev denies.

The Hungarian, whose center-right Tisza party, according to independent pollsters, has a chance of defeating Orban's Fidesz, issued a warning against foreign interference in the election campaign ahead of Vance's arrival.

"This is our country. Hungarian history is not written in Washington, Moscow or Brussels - it is written in the streets and squares of Hungary," he wrote on X.

Jacob Heilbrunn, editor of the National Interest magazine, says Vance has always been fascinated by Hungary for political and religious reasons.

"Hungary is their Eldorado," he said.

The Guardian recalls that Trump's former advisor Steve Bannon praised Orbán as "Trump before Trump," while Kevin Roberts, head of the Heritage Foundation that produced Project 2025, the far-right blueprint for Trump's second term, once said: "Contemporary Hungary is not just a model of conservative governance, but a role model."

Heilbrunn sees Vance's visit as a hint that Trump believes Orban could lose the election. "Trump doesn't like to be associated with losers, so he's sending Vance to be a scapegoat," he said.

The Guardian writes that the visit also highlights the symbolic consequences that the elections will have for far-right movements. In January, nearly a dozen right-wing leaders came together to support Orban in a video message.

If Orban were to lose the election, it would be a "devastating blow" to the MAGA movement, Heilbrunn said. "They have invested almost everything in Hungary as a front to undermine and weaken the EU, as well as to strengthen Putin's ability to threaten Ukraine."

Trump Jr.: If Hungary falls, Eastern Europe falls too

Donald Trump Jr. stated today in Banja Luka that Orban is a true fighter for Western values ​​and beliefs, assessing that this is fundamentally important, not only for Hungary, but also for Europe as a whole.

During a panel discussion in Banja Luka, he called Eastern European countries "the last hope for Europe," criticizing Western countries that have allowed excessive migration, especially France and Great Britain, which he called "Muslim countries," Beta reported.

"People who are willing to fight in Eastern Europe for those values, fighting to preserve traditions that they value and that are very aligned with America, those people should be supported," Trump Jr. said.

He added that the people at the helm of these countries need help.

"God knows, between the frauds of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Soros Foundation and the billions of dollars flowing into those countries against individuals. You saw the same in your neighborhood in Serbia. I'm sure the same thing happened here and, apparently, in Hungary," he pointed out.

Trump Jr. supported Orban and called his opponents "communists."

"I think everyone who is watching, everyone who is involved needs to do whatever it takes to get out there and make sure that the communists don't take over Hungary, because if Hungary falls, the vast majority of Eastern Europe will too. I think he's one of the real fighters in the region, more than most, and I think those people need to get their support."

He stated that he believes it is crucial to ensure that those who share the values ​​of the Trump administration win the election.

He added that this is not only important from a political perspective, but also "because of the future of our children, to whom we want to leave a better world."

"It is inextricably linked to business, because the policies of the conservative government with Western values ​​enable growth," he said.

( A.Š. )