Hungary’s Orbán has long annoyed the European Union. Now some hope he faces defeat

On 7 April 2026, US Vice President JD Vance visited Budapest ahead of Hungary's high-stakes election and backed Orbán's re-election bid. Vance accused the European Union and Brussels of interfering in the Hungarian vote; The Telegraph reports he called Brussels 'corrupt', and Handelsblatt quotes him describing 'shameful interference'. He also vowed to help Orbán after meeting him. Times of Israel notes that Orbán has long annoyed the EU and that some now hope he faces defeat.