Overview
- Vox leader Santiago Abascal praised Viktor Orbán as a “protector of Europe” and thanked him for repeatedly using vetoes in the EU Council.
- The appearance came after the European Commission requested explanations from Hungary following a Washington Post investigation alleging leaks of Council deliberations to Moscow that named the foreign minister.
- Abascal addressed supporters at CPAC and the Patriots assembly in Budapest, urging Hungarians to back Orbán ahead of the April 12 elections.
- Other hard-right figures including Marine Le Pen, Geert Wilders, Matteo Salvini and Argentina’s Javier Milei also featured at the pro-Orbán events.
- Orbán’s recent vetoes include blocking the release of a €90 billion loan intended to support Ukraine.