Overview
- Viktor Orbán’s campaign got a direct boost when JD Vance, who campaigned in Budapest on Tuesday, urged voters to re-elect the prime minister and played a live call in which President Trump said he was “with him all the way.”
- Independent polls reported this week by multiple outlets show Fidesz trailing Péter Magyar’s Tisza party by single- to double‑digit margins, putting Orbán’s 16-year hold on power at real risk.
- Vance accused the European Union of trying to sway the race by withholding funds and, without evidence, suggested elements of Ukrainian intelligence interfered, while Magyar said no foreign country should interfere in Hungary’s vote.
- The U.S. ambassador to the EU said Thursday the endorsements did not amount to meddling, arguing Vance avoided coercion or threats as he voiced support for Orbán.
- Also on Thursday, the European Commission sought an explanation from Hungary over reports it gave Moscow “direct-line” access to EU information, as more than $20 billion in EU funds for Budapest remain frozen over rule‑of‑law concerns.