U.S. vice president criticizes Brussels officials for alleged interference as Hungary prepares for a closely contested parliamentary election.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
U.S. Vice President JD Vance accused European Union officials of interfering in Hungary’s upcoming parliamentary election, voicing support for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán during a visit to Budapest days before voters head to the polls.
Speaking at a press conference in the Hungarian capital, Vance said his visit was not intended to direct voters but to express backing for Orbán, whom he described as a leader willing to defend national sovereignty and cultural identity.
“What has happened in this country, what has happened in the midst of this election campaign, is one of the worst examples of foreign and election interference that I’ve ever seen or ever even read about,” Vance said.
He accused officials in Brussels—headquarters of the European Union—of exerting pressure on Hungary through economic and political means.
“The bureaucrats in Brussels have tried to destroy the economy of Hungary. They have tried to make Hungary less energy independent. They have tried to drive up costs for Hungarian consumers. And they’ve done it all because they hate this guy,” Vance said, referring to Orbán.
Tensions between Hungary and EU leadership have intensified in recent years over a range of domestic and foreign policy issues, including Budapest’s stance on migration, media regulations, and its opposition to deeper European integration on certain matters.
Orbán has also diverged from EU consensus on Ukraine, opposing membership bids for the country and advocating for negotiated settlements rather than continued military support.
During his remarks, Vance questioned the role of EU institutions in shaping the information environment surrounding the election.
“Why are bureaucrats in Brussels telling social media companies what information they’re giving to Hungarian voters?” he said. “I think the voters of Hungary are adults. They are sovereign in their own country, and they should be able to look at whatever information they would like to about the election without somebody in a faraway capital treating them like children.”
He added: “Sovereignty and democracy are fundamentally about the people choosing… I won’t tell the people of Hungary how to vote. I would encourage the bureaucrats in Brussels to do the exact same thing.”
Claims of outside influence have also surfaced from Orbán’s allies, who have that social media content favorable to the prime minister has been limited online, while content supporting his challenger has received wider visibility. The company has denied those allegations.
The Hungarian election, set to conclude this weekend, is viewed as one of the most competitive contests Orbán has faced in more than a decade. The opposition Tisza Party has shown strength in national polling, though analysts note that Hungary’s constituency-based system may yield different outcomes at the local level.
Recent suggest a tight race, while a separate indicated Orbán’s Fidesz party could maintain an advantage in key districts.
Vance’s visit follows appearances in Hungary by several European political figures, including Marine Le Pen, Matteo Salvini, and Geert Wilders, who have also expressed support for Orbán ahead of the vote.
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