JD Vance defends backing ‘great guy’ Orbán’s campaign after landslide defeat
JD Vance Defends Support for Orbán Despite Opposition Victory
US Vice-President JD Vance has maintained that his decision to conduct a two-day campaign trip in favor of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was justified, even after Orbán’s unexpected loss in the parliamentary elections. The opposition party Tisza secured an overwhelming victory five days prior to the event, but Vance stood by his endorsement, calling Orbán a “great guy” who delivered a “very good job” in governance.
Vance told Fox News that Orbán was “one of the few European leaders we’ve seen who’s been willing to stand up to the bureaucracy in Brussels.”
While expressing disappointment over Orbán’s defeat, Vance assured that the U.S. would “work very well” with the newly formed government. Péter Magyar, who led Tisza to victory, initially criticized Vance’s involvement, stating that “no foreign country may interfere in Hungarian elections.” However, he later acknowledged the U.S. as a “strong and important” NATO ally and expressed openness to dialogue if Trump or others reached out.
Transition and Political Shift
Orbán will continue to lead Hungary as a caretaker until Magyar takes office. The three parliamentary leaders from Tisza have been invited to meet President Tamás Sulyok on Wednesday. Sulyok, tasked with assembling Hungary’s new parliament and nominating the next prime minister by 12 May, has refused to resign despite Magyar’s call to do so, labeling him a “puppet” of Orbán’s regime.
Magyar has set a schedule for his party’s agenda, with plans to appear on public radio and TV ahead of his meeting with Sulyok. He revealed that he had initially declined an invitation to media coverage, vowing to ensure unbiased reporting once his party assumed power. This mirrors the BBC and other public broadcasters’ models, which he aims to emulate through a proposed editorial board for state media.
Anti-Corruption and EU Reforms
Magyar has outlined a series of measures, including the establishment of an Anti-Corruption Office and a National Asset Recovery and Protection Office, to address systemic issues. He also mentioned initiating the process of joining the EU’s European Public Prosecutor’s Office, a move he believes will strengthen transparency. Orbán’s administration was known for fostering cronyism, allowing contracts to benefit favored individuals and weakening judicial independence.
Magyar described Hungary as the EU’s “poorest and most corrupt member,” emphasizing that billions have disappeared from state contracts and corruption has reached industrial levels. A key priority for his government is to unlock frozen EU funding and loans, amounting to €17bn and an additional €16bn in defense support. These funds were withheld due to concerns over rule of law and democratic backsliding under Orbán’s rule.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke with Magyar on Tuesday, highlighting the need for “swift work to restore the rule of law and realign with shared European values.” Meanwhile, EU leaders are pushing for Hungary to lift its veto on €90bn in Ukraine aid, which was imposed weeks before the election. Magyar dismissed the veto’s significance, noting that Hungary was among three nations that opted out of the loan last December.
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized the urgency of releasing Ukraine aid “very quickly” following the change in government. Merz had previously met with Magyar in Munich, and the new leader plans to visit Berlin as one of his first foreign destinations.
