Seriously.

#JDVance says he's 'here to help' #Orbán #election campaign during #Hungary visit

Vance’s 2-day visit to Budapest is a bid to turn the tide in Orbán’s election campaign where the long-serving leader, a close #Trump ally, is trailing in the polls.

#geopolitics #authoritarianism #strongman #illiberalism #corruption #kleptocracy #MafiaState
https://apnews.com/article/jd-vance-hungary-orban-election-campaign-08e0929e9c8b3ae4302ae4e8c0393d5e

JD Vance visits Hungary to back Orbán days before tough election

Vice President JD Vance is visiting Hungary's capital to support Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's campaign only days before a pivotal election. Vance will meet Orbán and appear at a campaign rally, signaling strong backing from the Trump administration. Orbán, in power since 2010, faces a tough race against the center-right Tisza party led by Péter Magyar. Critics accuse Orbán of undermining Hungary’s institutions and media, which he denies. Trump has endorsed Orbán, aligning with his stance on immigration and media control. Most polls show Orbán trailing ahead of the April 12 vote, prompting him to boost his profile by appearing with international backers.

AP News

#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.

@Nonilex If I didn't know any better, I would be forced to conclude that election interference and an anti-EU, pro-Russia stance has now become official U.S. Foreign Policy.

Which implies that the USA has officially become an adversarial state from an EU perspective.

This then begs the question:

Is it is now fair game for individual European nations and the EU to begin campaigning for democracy (and therefore against the MAGA movement) in the USA?

Food for thought.

@ermo @Nonilex
Go for it. He is interfering in Canadian politics too. BABA ( BUY ANYTHING BUT AMERICAN)