Overview
- JD Vance visited Budapest Tuesday and publicly endorsed Viktor Orbán, accusing “bureaucrats in Brussels” of interference and calling the prime minister a partner for peace in Ukraine.
- At an evening rally, Vance put President Donald Trump on the phone to laud Orbán, signaling the U.S. administration’s open support in Hungary’s closing campaign days.
- Independent surveys now give Péter Magyar’s Tisza party the edge, while pro-government pollsters still see Fidesz ahead, and analysts expect turnout near 75% to 80%.
- Security tensions rose after Serbia said two backpacks of explosives were found near the TurkStream gas line that supplies Hungary, as Ukraine denied involvement and opposition voices warned of a possible false-flag tactic.
- Election watchdogs cite misuse of state resources and risks tied to diaspora postal voting, and the OSCE has sent monitors as voters weigh corruption, living costs, and strained public services.