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Watch: Europe's Future on the Ballot in Hungary? Orbán in Tight Re-Election Race - FRANCE 24

• 8 Apr 2026 1:11 PM

Is Europe’s future on the ballot in Hungary? In Budapest, the US vice president is actively stumping for far-right incumbent Viktor Orban who trails in the polls ahead of Sunday’s general election. European politicians sometimes campaign for likeminded peers from neighbouring nations, but in this case, it is the United States openly taking aim at the bloc using the same talking points as Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

Vance hails Orban as a 'model' for Europe during pre-election Hungary visit • FRANCE 24 English

US Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday threw his support behind Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, ahead of this weekend's fiercely fought parliamentary elections, accusing Brussels of "foreign election interference".



Explosives found by pipeline to Hungary: PM Orban claims sabotage • FRANCE 24 English

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said the army and police had found two backpacks containing explosives Sunday near a gas pipeline to Hungary, prompting Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban to call an emergency meeting.



'Vladimir Putin absolutely nervous' about Hungary's election, expert says • FRANCE 24 English

Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Dr Marc Roscoe Loustau, Affiliated Fellow at the Central European University, says that "next to Viktor Orban, the person who stands to lose the most in case of a Fidesz party loss is Vladimir Putin". According to press reports quoting intelligence officials, the powerful explosives found near a Serbian gas pipeline to Hungary may be part of a "false flag" operation to influence the upcoming election.



Viktor Orbán courts voters in neighboring Romania as Hungary’s election tightens • FRANCE 24

The Hungarian general election is due to take place next week, in what will be one of the most closely watched political contests of the year. Polls indicate that prime minister Victor Orban could be unseated, as centre right candidate Péter Mayga presents the most serious threat yet to his 16 year premiership. In a bid to cling onto power, Orban is looking beyond the Hungarian borders and specifically targeting voters in neighboring Romania.


 

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