U.S. Vice President JD Vance has travelled to Hungary in a show of support for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, as the country prepares for what is expected to be a tightly fought parliamentary election.
Speaking before departing Washington on Monday night, Vance said his visit would focus on strengthening ties between the two countries, while also addressing wider issues including Europe and the war in Ukraine.
The trip comes at a sensitive political moment. Hungary goes to the polls on Sunday (12 April), with Orbán facing one of the toughest challenges of his long career.
After 16 years in power, his leadership is being tested by a resurgent opposition led by Peter Magyar, whose centre-right Tisza party has gained significant momentum in recent months.
Vance is expected to meet Orbán and deliver a speech highlighting the “rich partnership” between the United States and Hungary. He is also due to appear at a campaign rally in Budapest, underlining the strength of backing from President Donald Trump and his administration.
The visit reflects a broader shift in U.S. foreign policy under Trump, with Washington now openly supporting political allies abroad rather than maintaining the traditional distance seen in past elections. Earlier this year, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also travelled to Budapest, publicly wishing Orbán success.
Orbán and Trump have built a close relationship over the years, rooted in shared positions on migration, national sovereignty and scepticism towards liberal European governments.
Hungary has taken a particularly hard line on immigration since the refugee crisis a decade ago, a stance that has resonated with Trump’s political base.
However, the political landscape in Hungary has shifted. Opinion polls from independent institutes suggest that the Tisza party could secure a decisive victory, although pro-government pollsters predict Orbán’s Fidesz-KDNP coalition will retain power.
Beyond domestic politics, energy and security issues are also shaping the campaign. Hungary remains heavily dependent on Russian oil and gas, putting it at odds with many of its European Union partners.
Recent disruptions to key pipelines and a reported incident near the TurkStream gas route have heightened concerns over supply and stability.
At the same time, Orbán has made criticism of Ukraine and its president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a central theme of his campaign - a position that has drawn both support and criticism at home and abroad.
For many voters, the election has become a defining moment: a choice between continuity under a long-serving leader or a shift towards a more pro-European direction.
As Vance arrives in Budapest alongside his wife, Usha Vance, the visit adds an international dimension to an already high-stakes contest - one that could reshape Hungary’s future and its role within Europe.
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