Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar has accused the United States of interfering in Hungary’s upcoming elections, criticizing the visit of U.S. Vice President JD Vance to Budapest just days before the vote.
“No foreign country may interfere in Hungarian elections. This is our country,” Magyar wrote on social media, adding that Hungary’s history “is not written in Washington, Moscow, or Brussels.”
Vance arrived in Budapest for meetings with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and a public address, with Hungarian officials describing the visit as a sign of strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.
For Orbán, who has been in power for over a decade and promotes what he calls an “illiberal democracy,” the visit provides an opportunity to showcase international backing at a crucial stage of the campaign. Polls suggest that Orbán’s party, Fidesz, is trailing Magyar’s opposition Tisza Party.
Vance’s trip follows an earlier visit by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who previously highlighted a “golden age” in U.S.-Hungarian relations.
The campaign has been marked by controversy and allegations of foreign influence beyond the United States. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó acknowledged contacts with Russian officials during discussions on new EU sanctions, while independent reports have also raised concerns about vote-buying and pressure on voters—claims the government has rejected as politically motivated.
Hungary has faced similar dynamics in past elections. In 2022, a united opposition was expected to challenge Orbán’s rule, yet Fidesz secured a two-thirds parliamentary majority.
