US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in Hungary for high-level talks with Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Monday, just weeks before crucial legislative elections where the nationalist leader confronts a formidable challenge from the opposition.
Rubio's visit marks the culmination of an intensive European tour that included an address at the Munich Security Conference and a meeting with another right-wing ally, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico.
The trip underscores ongoing transatlantic ties, particularly as US President Donald Trump has openly praised Orban. In a social media post on Friday, Trump highlighted the prime minister's achievements, stating that Orban had produced “phenomenal” results in Hungary.
Orban, 62, is campaigning vigorously ahead of the April 12 legislative elections. Recent polls indicate that his Fidesz party is trailing the TISZA party led by opposition figure Peter Magyar, signaling a tight race for the veteran leader.
In a fiery speech on Saturday, Orban vowed to continue his battle against what he called “pseudo-civil organisations, bought journalists, judges, politicians”—rhetoric reminiscent of Trump's own style of political discourse.
Orban also lashed out at the “oppressive machinery of Brussels,” renewing his long-standing criticisms of the European Union’s leadership on various issues.
