Rubio Backs Orbán in Budapest, Calling His Leadership 'Essential' to U.S. Interests

Overview

• At a joint news conference in Budapest, Marco Rubio said President Donald Trump is deeply committed to Viktor Orbán’s success because it aligns with U.S. national interests.
• Rubio described U.S.–Hungary ties as entering an “era of gold” and appeared to condition that outlook on Orbán staying prime minister.
• Hungary holds parliamentary elections on April 12 in what coverage describes as Orbán’s toughest contest since Fidesz first won power in 2010.
• The stop in Hungary was part of Rubio’s two-day Central Europe trip that also included Slovakia, whose conservative leader is reported as close to Trump and critical of the European Union.
• Reporting notes Orbán’s disputes with the EU, cordial relations with Russia, and criticism of Ukraine, and that segments of the American hard right view him as a model on strict immigration and Christian-conservative policies.