#Orbán is running for his 5th-straight term as “prime minister”. He & his #nationalist #populist #Fidesz party are facing their toughest race in 2 decades against a center-right challenger, #Tisza party led by Péter #Magyar, that could bring an end to Orbán’s 16 years in #power.

Orbán has bristled at the slightest mention of the #election by any of his partners in the #EU, decrying any expressions of support for his opponent as a grave breach of #Hungary’s sovereignty & meddling in the election

Yet speaking at a joint news conference with #Orbán at his HQ in Budapest’s Carmelite Monastery, #JDVance campaigned openly for the PM, saying he wanted to “help as much as I possibly can” ahead of the April 12 vote.

#Vance was scheduled to appear later on Tuesday at an election rally for Orbán dubbed a “Day of Friendship” event — an unusual step from a foreign leader & a break with the practice of most politicians who avoid taking an active role in the political campaigns of other countries.

Despite his clear endorsement of #Orbán, #Vance lashed out at the #EU for what he said was “one of the worst examples of foreign election interference that I’ve ever seen or ever even read about.”

Long accused by critics of taking over #Hungary’s institutions, clamping down on #press #freedom & overseeing entrenched political #corruption — charges he denies — Orbán has become an icon in the global #FarRight movement.

#hypocrisy #Trump #geopolitics #illiberalism #kleptocracy #MafiaState