For Orbán, who has led Hungary for 16 years under his “illiberal democracy” model, the visit presents an opportunity to showcase global backing during a key phase of the campaign. According to POLITICO’s Poll of Polls, Fidesz is currently behind the opposition Tisza party.
Vance is not the first high-ranking U.S. official to visit Budapest before the election. His visit comes after Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s February trip, during which Rubio praised the “golden age” of U.S.-Hungarian relations.
The campaign has faced controversies and allegations of external interference extending beyond the U.S.
Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó admitted to discussions with Russian officials as EU ministers considered new sanctions. Reports suggest Budapest aimed to weaken measures affecting Russian elites and oil imports. Concurrently, a documentary by independent journalists, “The Price of a Vote,” accused the government of election buying and voter pressure in rural regions, allegations rejected as politically driven by the government.
Hungary has encountered such scenarios previously. In 2022, an anticipated unified opposition challenge to Orbán resulted in Fidesz securing a two-thirds supermajority.
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