Two rival global powers have found themselves pulling in the same direction ahead of Hungary's parliamentary election: both Moscow and Washington want Viktor Orban to stay in power. The Kremlin backed a disinformation campaign aimed at helping the Hungarian premier secure a fifth consecutive term, while senior Trump administration figures are reportedly planning a high-profile visit to bolster his campaign.
Vice President JD Vance is among the officials reportedly preparing a trip to Hungary this week, "Hvylya" reports, citing the Financial Times. The convergence of Russian and American support for Orban underscores just how central the Hungarian leader has become to both Putin's geopolitical interests and the global populist right's ambitions.
For Moscow, the calculation is straightforward. Orban has been the most persistent obstacle within the EU to support for Ukraine, repeatedly blocking or delaying aid packages and sanctions against Russia. He has cultivated what critics describe as a chummy relationship with Putin - unusual for a leader whose country is a NATO and EU member state.
For Trump's circle, the appeal is ideological. Orban honed a pitch that combined "conservative" values of religion and family with hostility to immigration and a sovereigntist rejection of foreign influence - a formula the MAGA movement has openly embraced. The Hungarian premier has been both a guest of honor at American conservative gatherings and a self-described model for what he calls "illiberal democracy."
The dual support carries risks for both patrons. Opposition campaigners fear the ruling Fidesz party may resort to heavier manipulation this time around, or challenge the results if voted out. A defeat for Orban would remove a frequent brake on EU decision-making on Ukraine and deliver a reversal for the populist right while it is on the march across western Europe.
Earlier, "Hvylya" reported that Hungary's opposition leader accused Orban of inviting Russian operatives to meddle in previous elections.