Hungary’s Orban Gears Up To Be Europe’s ‘Trump Whisperer’

Photo: Reuters/Marton Monus

BUDAPEST, (Reuters) – As much of Europe frets over the return of Donald Trump, Hungary’s Viktor Orban is in a jubilant mood.

“A much needed victory for the World!” the Hungarian nationalist leader wrote minutes after Trump declared victory.

Orban hopes his close personal ties with Trump will elevate his standing in a politically fractious Europe and bolster support for his far-right allies, at a time when he faces serious headwinds at home.

Orban, who has grown increasingly isolated within the EU for his ties with Russia and opposition to military aid for Ukraine, has praised Trump as a “man of peace” who would quickly end the war. The two have already spoken by phone and Orban posted: “We have big plans for the future.”

Trump’s victory could reduce Orban’s isolation in Europe as he aims to act as a mediator between Washington and Europe.

That would align with Orban’s self-styled “peace mission” that upset European Union leaders in July when he visited Moscow and Kyiv without notifying the EU or NATO. He ended that mission meeting Trump at Mar-a-Lago, after which he said Trump would act “as a peace broker immediately” after he wins.

“Orban will see himself as a Trump-whisperer and use that to get himself more leverage within the EU,” Ian Bremmer, president and founder of Eurasia group, told journalists.

The EU may be reluctant for Orban to take the lead on discussions related to security or Ukraine, but with Trump threatening to impose a 10% tariff on all imports they may be hoping he can carry some weight in discussions over trade.

Orban said Europe would need to rethink its strategy on Ukraine with Trump returning to power. Trump said last year that he could end the war “in 24 hours” but has not said how.

In office since 2010 and before that from 1998-2002, Orban is now facing rare challenges at home from a new and strong opposition party and a stagnating economy. The return of Trump is likely to see political pressure from Washington evaporate over his curbs on media freedom and LGBTQ rights.

But although Orban now envisages a return to a “golden age” of American-Hungarian relations, there is a flip side: Trump’s trade policies, including proposed tariffs on car imports, which could hurt Hungary’s economy.