Trump win boosts Orban's clout in European politics
Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election strengthens Viktor Orban's position in the European Union. The Hungarian Prime Minister has invested significantly in his relationship with the Republican candidate, said Hungarian political scientist and sociologist Edit Zgut-Przybylska. Hungarian international affairs expert Anton Bendarzevszkij shares a similar opinion.
7:13 AM EST, November 7, 2024
Zgut-Przybylska noted that the Hungarian Prime Minister is likely to position himself as a key ally of the American president in "establishing peace" in Ukraine.
Bendarzevszkij stated that Hungary will become a close partner for Trump's United States in Central Europe or even Europe in general. With Washington’s support, Orban will be "more assertive and confident" in his policies, according to him.
Nothing to lose
Orban's government has long openly supported Trump in the presidential elections, and under Joe Biden's administration, relations between Washington and Budapest were the worst in years. Orban had nothing to lose, said Bendarzevszkij, by putting everything on one card, as those relations couldn't get any worse.
Edit Zgut-Przybylska reminded that Orban remains isolated in the European Union due to his stance on Ukraine, close ties with Russia, and holding discussions with the Kremlin and Beijing without Brussels' consent. At the same time, the Hungarian Prime Minister has long openly supported Trump.
Zgut-Przybylska noted that Orban will undoubtedly use Trump's victory to increase his presence on the global political stage, although Hungary's actual role remains small.
Strengthening his voice in the EU
Bendarzevszkij added that the American president may defend the Hungarian government if it continues to face criticism on the European stage. In his opinion, these attacks may decrease because Brussels will not want to risk its relations with Washington in this way.
It is unclear whether the outcome in the U.S. will serve as an impetus for the so-called Orban's peace mission regarding Ukraine, which he initiated after Hungary assumed the six-month presidency of the EU Council at the beginning of July. As part of this mission, he travelled to Moscow for a meeting with Vladimir Putin, for which EU partners sharply criticized him.
