By Blessing Nweke
US Vice-President JD Vance is set to visit Budapest on Tuesday in a show of support for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban ahead of a closely contested parliamentary election.
Vance is expected to join Orban at a major campaign rally in a football stadium, reinforcing backing from US President Donald Trump, who recently pledged his “complete and total support” for the long-serving leader. The 12 April vote is widely seen as Orban’s most difficult political battle in nearly four decades.
Orban faces a strong challenge from Peter Magyar, a former ally who now leads the centre-right Tisza party. Recent opinion polls suggest Tisza holds a significant lead over Orban’s Fidesz party, though pro-government surveys indicate a tighter race.
The Hungarian leader’s alliance with Trump dates back to 2016 and has deepened over time, including a controversial agreement securing Hungary exemptions from US sanctions on Russian energy firms. Analysts say the deal could be at risk if Orban loses power.
Energy security has become a key issue in the campaign. Hungary remains heavily reliant on Russian oil and gas supplies, particularly through the Druzhba and TurkStream pipelines. However, disruptions in recent months have forced Budapest to tap reserves and seek alternative imports.
Tensions escalated further after Serbian authorities reported explosives near the TurkStream pipeline. While Orban’s government described it as a threat to national energy security, opposition figures have questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident.
With criticism mounting over foreign policy and leaked diplomatic communications, Orban is banking on high-profile international backing, including Vance’s visit, to sway undecided voters in what could be a defining election.
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