The US president called the Hungarian leader a true friend, fighter, and winner ahead of a tight parliamentary election

US President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, urging voters to "get out and vote" for his reelection ahead of Sunday's parliamentary election.

In a post on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump described Orban - his "true friend, fighter, and winner" - as a "strong and powerful leader" with a "proven track record of delivering phenomenal results."

"[Orban] fights tirelessly for, and loves, his great country and people, just like I do for the United States of America," Trump wrote. "Viktor works hard to protect Hungary, grow the economy, create jobs, promote trade, stop illegal immigration, and ensure law and order!"

Trump also credited Orban with driving "new heights of cooperation" between the US and Hungary and said he looks "forward to continuing working" with him.

"Hungary: GET OUT AND VOTE FOR VIKTOR ORBAN," he urged, stressing Orban has his "complete and total endorsement" for re-election.

Trump has repeatedly backed his longtime ally ahead of the vote. Earlier this week, he even called into a rally in Budapest via Vice President J.D. Vance's phone, telling supporters, "I am with [Orban] until the very end."

Vance, who visited Budapest to boost Orban's campaign, described Hungary as a "laboratory" for sovereign, conservative politics and accused the EU of "interfering" in the vote.

The election is shaping up to be tight, with Orban facing a serious challenge from Peter Magyar and his pro-EU Tisza Party, which leads Fidesz in some polls. Tisza has campaigned on anti-corruption reforms and repairing ties with Brussels, which has long criticized Orban over judicial independence, media control, immigration policy, its independent stance on Russia and China, and policy toward Ukraine.

Hungary has opposed Ukraine's EU ambitions, refused to supply arms to Kiev, and is currently blocking a €90 billion EU loan package - after accusing VladimirZelenskyof cutting Russian oil flows via theDruzhbapipeline. Orban has also claimed Kiev is waging a "quiet war" against his government, alleging Ukrainian intelligence is operating inside Hungary to sway the vote toward the Tisza Party.

Multiple analysts describe the upcoming vote as a political "proxy war" between Washington and Brussels. While the EU has stopped short of formally endorsing Orban's rival, it has made no secret of its preference. Magyar and his Tisza Party are aligned with the European People's Party (EPP), the same bloc as von der Leyen. Brussels also continues to withhold around €18 billion in funds from Hungary over rule-of-law and corruption concerns - funds Magyar has pledged to unlock if elected.

Orban has repeatedly accused the EU of trying to engineer a change in government and install a "puppet regime" in Budapest, alleging Brussels has already "picked" Magyar as a compliant successor. He has also argued that freezing billions in funding is a deliberate attempt to sway voters against him.

Orban has served as prime minister since 2010. His party needs at least 100 of 199 seats to retain power, with analysts saying Fidesz likely needs a 3-5 point national lead to secure a majority.

(RT.com)