JD Vance defends backing ‘great guy’ Orbán’s campaign after landslide defeat
JD Vance, the US vice-president, maintained that his decision to conduct a two-day campaign trip in support of Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s prime minister, was justified five days ahead of the opposition party Tisza’s overwhelming electoral triumph.
Vance emphasized Orbán’s qualities as a ‘remarkable leader’ who delivered ‘excellent results,’ highlighting his role as ‘a rare European leader who dared to challenge the Brussels bureaucracy.’
Though expressing disappointment over Orbán’s loss, Vance expressed confidence that the United States would ‘collaborate effectively’ with the new administration.
“No foreign nation should meddle in Hungary’s elections,” Péter Magyar, Tisza’s leader, had previously cautioned, criticizing Vance’s involvement.
Yet on Monday, Magyar acknowledged the US as a ‘valuable and essential’ NATO ally, stating he would engage with Trump or others if contacted.
Orbán will serve as Hungary’s interim leader until Magyar’s inauguration, with the three parliamentary party leaders set to meet President Tamás Sulyok on Wednesday.
Sulyok is responsible for organizing Hungary’s new parliament and nominating the next prime minister by 12 May. Magyar has pressed for expedited action, urging Sulyok to resign and label him a ‘puppet’ of Orbán’s regime.
Magyar has outlined several initiatives for his party’s upcoming governance, securing a ‘supermajority’ of 137 seats in the latest preliminary counts.
While the results are not conclusive, Magyar anticipates a larger margin of success for Tisza. Securing two-thirds of the 199 parliamentary seats grants Magyar’s government the authority to amend the constitution and undo policies from Orbán’s tenure.
Magyar characterized Hungary as the EU’s ‘most economically disadvantaged and corrupt’ member, pledging to establish an Anti-Corruption Office and a National Asset Recovery and Protection Agency, alongside initiating membership in the EU’s European Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Orbán’s administration gained notoriety for fostering a cronyist system that prioritized contracts for preferred individuals, undermining judicial autonomy and legal principles.
“Hungary’s public resources have been siphoned away, with billions disappearing from state contracts and corruption operating at an industrial level,” Magyar asserted.
A primary focus for Magyar’s administration will be to revive billions in EU funds and loans suspended due to concerns over rule of law and democratic regression under Orbán.
Approximately €17 billion (£14.8 billion) has been held in reserve, with an additional €16 billion pending approval for defense loans. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen engaged with Magyar on Tuesday, stating that ‘urgent action is required to… reestablish the rule of law and realign with our common European values.’
EU officials are actively advocating for Hungary to lift Orbán’s veto on €90 billion in Ukraine assistance provided in the weeks
