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US Vice-President JD Vance accused the European Union of interfering in Hungary’s election campaign and imposing censorship, as he visited Budapest days ahead of a pivotal vote on Sunday which could see a dramatic change in government.
Vance’s trip comes five days before Sunday’s election, in which Prime Minister Viktor Orbán faces his most serious challenge in 16 years in power. The opposition Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar, is currently ahead of Orbán’s Fidesz in opinion polls.
Speaking at a joint press conference, Vance praised Orbán’s leadership, saying it “can provide a model for the continent”, while sharply criticising Brussels.
“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,” Vance said, adding that the EU’s actions were politically motivated to hurt Orbán for resisting liberal political conventions.
He also took aim at the bloc’s digital rules, including the Digital Services Act, which requires platforms to tackle disinformation and harmful content. He did not provide any evidence.
“Why are bureaucrats in Brussels telling social media companies what information they’re giving to Hungarian voters?” he said, arguing that Hungarians were capable of making their own decisions.
Vance further alleged that Ukrainian intelligence services were attempting to influence the Hungarian vote.
“We’re certainly aware that there are elements within the Ukrainian intelligence services that try to put their thumb on the scale,” he said. He did not provide any evidence.
The Hungarian government has repeatedly claimed that Kyiv and Brussels are seeking to unseat Orbán and has moved to bolster protections for critical energy infrastructure, citing fears of foreign interference.
Vance, who has in the past expressed admiration for Orbán’s ability to root out what he describes as a liberal bias from universities, vowed to assist the Hungarian leader in the final days of the campaign.
“I want to help as much as I possibly can,” he told reporters in Budapest.
Former US President Donald Trump has also backed the Hungarian leader, describing him as “a true friend” and praising his stance on migration. Trump has previously supported a number of right-wing candidates abroad.
Hungary’s relations with the EU have grown increasingly strained. In March, Orbán vetoed a €90bn aid package for Ukraine, while Brussels has withheld billions in EU funds over concerns about corruption and the rule of law. The country has also faced criticism within the bloc for maintaining close ties with Russia and its reliance on Russian energy.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Péter Magyar warned against foreign involvement in the vote, urging all countries to respect Hungary’s sovereignty.
“No foreign country may interfere in Hungarian elections,” he said. “This is our country.”
According to an opinion poll published last week by the 21 Research Institute, the opposition Tisza party leads among decided voters with 56% support, compared with 37% for Fidesz — a gap of 19 percentage points.
Despite voicing support for Orbán, Vance said Washington would be prepared to work with whoever wins the election.