U.S. Vice President Vance rallies behind Orbán in high-stakes Hungary vote

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife Usha arrived in Hungary on Wednesday morning for an official two-day visit, widely seen as aimed at bolstering the ruling Fidesz party ahead of the 12 April elections.

Vance was welcomed with military honours at Budapest’s Ferenc Liszt International Airport by Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó.

Opinion polls ahead of Hungary’s elections suggest Orbán is facing his most serious challenge in 16 years. Two surveys indicate that the centre-right TISZA party is extending its lead over Orbán’s ruling Fidesz.

One poll from late March shows TISZA, led by former Orbán ally Péter Magyar, supported by 56% of decided voters, up from 53% at the beginning of March. The same survey by 21 Research Center shows Fidesz support falling to 37%, down from 39% three weeks earlier. Around 26% of Hungarians remain undecided.

Vance has met Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as the two delivered speeches at a rally titled “Day of Hungarian-American Friendship” at a congress hall in Budapest. A presser is still ongoing by the time of the publication of this article. He is also expected to attend a Fidesz campaign event.

“I look forward to seeing my good friend Viktor and discussing a range of issues related to US-Hungarian relations,” Vance said. Their talks are also expected to cover relations with Europe and the war in Ukraine.

“Viktor is going to win the elections”, Vance said at the presser.

Press Conference: Vice President JD Vance in Budapest https://t.co/xkai5c6Oh9
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) April 7, 2026

The vice president’s backing for Orbán marks the latest example of Donald Trump’s efforts to support like-minded right-wing leaders globally, including in Argentina, Germany and Japan.

Trump has repeatedly expressed support for Orbán, who is often described as a proponent of “illiberal democracy”. Hungarian PM has long been at odds with EU institutions over rule-of-law issues, media freedom and migration policy.

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New ”golden age”?

According to Szijjártó, Vance’s visit demonstrates that relations between Washington and Budapest have entered a new “golden age”, Reuters reported.

“The visit clearly shows that a new golden era in US-Hungarian relations is beginning,” Szijjártó said upon Vance’s arrival. He added that discussions would focus on migration, global security, and economic and energy cooperation.

“Trade between the two countries has never been as strong as last year. US investment in Hungary also reached a record level, and the positive momentum appears set to continue. This year, trade turnover has increased by 50%. In March alone, we announced six new investments worth a total of 100 billion forints (€261.1 million),” he said.

“The visit of J.D. Vance is not routine diplomacy but a clear show of support for Viktor Orbán ahead of the toughest election of his life,” said Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution.

In her view, for the Trump administration, Orbán is not merely a conservative ally but a central figure in efforts to build an illiberal bloc in Europe.

🇭🇺🤝🇺🇸 A golden age, a golden occasion! Pleasure to meet with Vice President @JDVance in Budapest. A historic moment, the first such visit in 35 years. pic.twitter.com/cz4Gr9b3FD
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) April 7, 2026

Orbán looking for electoral push

Orbán said he was “looking forward” to the visit, with plans for a a rally at a 24,000-seat football stadium, seeking to maximise the political advantage of the high-profile trip.

Trump has previously described Orbán as “one of the strongest” world leaders. For the White House, the visit is also seen as recognition of Orbán’s loyalty during politically difficult periods – particularly the four years out of power and the 2024 campaign – when other global leaders distanced themselves from Trump.

“Orbán has been with the president for a long time, through all trials and campaigns. There was no other leader who maintained such consistent contact with Trump,” an anonymous White House official, quoted by Reuters.

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With Reuters and additional content by EUalive.

Caption: A handout photo made available by the Hungarian PM’s General Department of Communication, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (L) and U.S. Vice President JD Vance talk on the terrace of Orban’s office, the former Carmelite Monastery in Budapest, Hungary, 7 April 2026. Vance is on a two-day visit to Hungary. EPA/Zoltan Fischer