United States President Donald Trump has used his social media platform to support fellow right-wing leader Viktor Orbán ahead of Hungary’s upcoming parliamentary elections.
Trump’s support came in Truth Social Post on Thursday, where he praised Orbán as a “really strong and powerful leader”.
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“He fights and loves tirelessly for his great country and people, just as I do for the United States of America,” Trump said.
Drawing parallels between himself and Orbán, Trump explained that he sought to “stop illegal immigration” and “ensure law and order.”
“Relations between Hungary and the United States have reached new heights of cooperation and spectacular success during my administration, thanks in large part to Prime Minister Orbán,” Trump wrote.
“I was proud to endorse Victor for re-election in 2022 and I am honored to do so again.”
Declining popularity
Orbán has the longest tenure of any prime minister in Hungarian history, first assuming the role from 1998 to 2002 and then resuming the role of prime minister from 2010 to the present day.
But his party, the far-right Fidesz coalition, faces obstacles in controlling Hungary’s parliament in the upcoming April 12 election.
21 A poll released on February 3 by the research firm Kutatokozpon found that the center-right Tisza party has a seven-point lead over Fidesz.
Among respondents surveyed last month, Tisza received 35 percent support, compared to 28 percent for Fidesz.
Some of the decline in Orbán’s popularity has been attributed to a faltering economy and frustration with the prime minister’s embrace of liberalism, a consolidation of power that critics liken to fascism.
Human rights groups have consistently criticized Orbán’s government for its democratic backsliding and hardline policies. For example, Orbán has imposed limits on asylum policies and his government has been accused of interrogating dissidents in the name of rooting out threats to “national sovereignty”.
But there are signs of growing discontent with those policies.
Despite a government ban on Pride events last year, thousands of Hungarians rallied in the streets of Budapest in June, waving rainbow flags to show support for the LGBTQ community. The march was considered one of the largest Hungary has seen in recent history.
However, the government has taken punitive action after that march. Late last month, prosecutors Criminal charges filed Against the mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karaksoni, for organizing the parade.
Support for right-wing victories
Still, Trump has endorsed Orbán and embraced his platform, while condemning other European countries for censoring right-wing voices.
Both leaders have faced criticism for their nationalist, anti-immigrant agendas, including comments demonizing foreign nationals.
Trump recently hosted Orban at the White House in November, where his representatives discussed expanding trade between their two countries.
Orbán’s visit to Washington, DC, included a meeting with Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of Brazil’s former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, who has been convicted of plotting a coup.
Like Trump, Orbán has publicly denounced the allegations against the elder Bolsonaro as politically motivated. The former Brazilian president is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence.
“We stand firmly behind Bolsonaro in these challenging times – a friend and ally who never gives up,” Orban said. wrote Online after the November 6 meeting. “Keep fighting: political witches have no place in a democracy, truth and justice must prevail!”
Most recently, Trump and Orbán met again in Davos, Switzerland, where Trump invited Hungary to join his newly formed peace council.
Trump’s endorsement on Thursday is the latest example of a US president taking an active role in foreign elections.
In October, for example, by Trump Threatened to withhold aid from Argentina if its voters fail to support the party of liberal President Javier Mille in his midterm elections.
Trump also offered financial support to Argentina in the run-up to the race, which Miley’s party won.
Then, in November, Trump publicly endorsed a far-right candidate in the Honduras election and threatened to cut off aid if the election did not go his way. There, too, the A Trump-backed candidate won.
However, Trump’s endorsements and threats have raised concerns that the US may be using its economic weight and political influence. To influence elections Abroad, it is damaging foreign democracies.