{"id":15806,"date":"2026-02-17T03:37:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T03:37:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/trumps-best-friend-in-europe-counts-on-white-house-to-stay-in-power\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T03:37:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T03:37:10","slug":"trumps-best-friend-in-europe-counts-on-white-house-to-stay-in-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/trumps-best-friend-in-europe-counts-on-white-house-to-stay-in-power\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump\u2019s best friend in Europe counts on White House to stay in power"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div data-testid=\"ad-sticky-container\" class=\"sc-dfb011b6-0 dncfJv\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 fMIAOk adWrapper noPrint sc-1c01c11e-0 iEpzep\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<header class=\"sc-12aa4a36-0 gQVHPI\">\n<div class=\"sc-5cbbddda-0 cRMyzw\">\n<div data-testid=\"article-author\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-1 kekTYX\" readability=\"4.7125\">\n<div readability=\"5.8\">\n<p data-testid=\"article-datetime\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-5 jMFiFd\"><span class=\"sc-a243f860-0 dLDTDi\"><time data-testid=\"storytile-timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-02-17T11:56:12+11:00\">February 17, 2026<!-- --> &mdash; 11:56am<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-0 hMrcSL noPrint\" data-testid=\"article-actions\">\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-1 cbqDrw\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 cGFoDo\" readability=\"8.5431472081218\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 bYQiGM\"><svg fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 bRyYMS\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 bBuibL\">Save<\/span><\/button>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 bnZsbn sc-d1b14060-3 bnLMbo\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"8.0816326530612\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 NcyxX\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your saved list to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 dpTpUw sc-369d9219-0 ipWbwh\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"9\">\n<p class=\"sc-369d9219-1 eGTSJh\">Save this article for later<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-369d9219-2 crcSSW\">Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"sc-3f16ee48-0 sc-3f16ee48-6 sc-369d9219-3 dXbfCd gDnvwr gxYZHU\">Got it<\/button><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/12-weeks-jail-for-school-it-support-technician-who-took-upskirt-videos-of-teachers\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">&lt;div&gt;12 weeks' jail for school IT support technician who took upskirt videos of teachers&lt;\/div&gt;<\/span><\/a><\/div><p><button aria-label=\"Set font size to normal\" aria-pressed=\"true\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 fKewKr\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to larger\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 kfmQUR\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to very large\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 kfmPpl\">A<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<aside class=\"sc-67b869c7-6 cFwlqx\"><\/aside>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"24.056565656566\">\n<p><strong>London:<\/strong> The people of Hungary seem ready to throw out their prime minister and elect a younger alternative who is promising to stop corruption, boost the economy and mend fences with the European Union.<\/p>\n<p>That prime minister, however, has other ideas. Viktor Orb&aacute;n, the caustic conservative who has dominated Hungarian politics for decades, believes he has a powerful ally in his bid to retain power at an election in April. He is counting on Donald Trump.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 fhsnES\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 bsFdcS\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 bXqpHm\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.151%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/57bc42ff0e0755dca17533086d538038e629721e, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.151%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/57bc42ff0e0755dca17533086d538038e629721e 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.151%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/57bc42ff0e0755dca17533086d538038e629721e, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.151%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/57bc42ff0e0755dca17533086d538038e629721e 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"US Secretary of State Marco Rubio with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb&aacute;n in Budapest on Monday.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.151,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/57bc42ff0e0755dca17533086d538038e629721e\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.151%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/57bc42ff0e0755dca17533086d538038e629721e, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.151%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/57bc42ff0e0755dca17533086d538038e629721e 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 bnWZMz\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 eROwEo\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 hMRMLa\"><span>US Secretary of State Marco Rubio with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb&aacute;n in Budapest on Monday.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jnumBu\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jkEJCb\">Getty Images<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Orb&aacute;n has become Trump&rsquo;s best friend in Europe at a time when the continent&rsquo;s leaders are frustrated with the US president over his designs on Greenland, his shifting positions on Ukraine and his lukewarm support for NATO.<\/p>\n<p>US Secretary of State Marco Rubio just made sure that Orb&aacute;n feels the love. The two men stood side by side on a podium in Budapest on Monday and spoke of a &ldquo;golden age&rdquo; in their national ties.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"20.963099630996\">\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/migrant-acquitted-in-first-trial-over-us-border-military-zones\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">Migrant acquitted in first trial over US border military zones<\/span><\/a><\/div><p>There was no surprise in Rubio&rsquo;s strong support for Orb&aacute;n, given that Trump took to social media on February 5 to endorse his friend as the best candidate for the April 12 election. Trump also endorsed him at the election four years ago.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-0 QbJUT\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-1 fNPBEP\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\" class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 cMGLSH\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 hUTlgn\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 bXqpHm\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5295%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_32\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/aa9f57dc651a21122618053af78fdba216f011ff, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5295%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_32\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/aa9f57dc651a21122618053af78fdba216f011ff 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5295%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_32\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/aa9f57dc651a21122618053af78fdba216f011ff, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5295%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_32\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/aa9f57dc651a21122618053af78fdba216f011ff 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Donald Trump\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.5295,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_0,%24y_32\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/aa9f57dc651a21122618053af78fdba216f011ff\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5295%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_32\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/aa9f57dc651a21122618053af78fdba216f011ff, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5295%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_32\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/aa9f57dc651a21122618053af78fdba216f011ff 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 jiJqza\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>But Rubio gave Orb&aacute;n a televised moment that the Hungarian leader can highlight on mainstream and social media in the hope of persuading voters that only he can deliver national security.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;President Trump is deeply committed to your success because your success is our success,&rdquo; Rubio told Orb&aacute;n at a joint press conference.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Because this relationship we have, here in Central Europe, through you, is so essential and vital for our national interests in the years to come.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"26.280355380059\">\n<p>&ldquo;If you face financial struggles, if you face things that are impediments to growth, if you face things that threaten the stability of your country, I know that President Trump will be very interested &ndash; because of your relationship with him.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Rubio was explicit about the way Trump would provide assistance to Hungary if a problem arose, referring to &ldquo;finances and the like&rdquo; as examples of the help that might be needed.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 fhsnES\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 bsFdcS\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 bXqpHm\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.257%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/eeeb4aba6f316960d9eefcb10ab9122b04c09e0a, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.257%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/eeeb4aba6f316960d9eefcb10ab9122b04c09e0a 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.257%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/eeeb4aba6f316960d9eefcb10ab9122b04c09e0a, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.257%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/eeeb4aba6f316960d9eefcb10ab9122b04c09e0a 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Friends in high places: Orb&aacute;n has been praised by Russia&rsquo;s Vladimir Putin for his &ldquo;balanced position&rdquo; on the war in Ukraine. \" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.257,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/eeeb4aba6f316960d9eefcb10ab9122b04c09e0a\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.257%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/eeeb4aba6f316960d9eefcb10ab9122b04c09e0a, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.257%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/eeeb4aba6f316960d9eefcb10ab9122b04c09e0a 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 bnWZMz\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 eROwEo\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 hMRMLa\"><span>Friends in high places: Orb&aacute;n has been praised by Russia&rsquo;s Vladimir Putin for his &ldquo;balanced position&rdquo; on the war in Ukraine. <\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jnumBu\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jkEJCb\">AP<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>That helps cement the message from Orb&aacute;n to voters last November, when he emerged from meetings with Trump at the White House to claim he had a &ldquo;financial shield&rdquo; from America to safeguard the Hungarian economy.<\/p>\n<p>While this was never explained in detail, Trump approved a currency swap for Argentina last October to help his friend Javier Milei, the country&rsquo;s president. (US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed it made money for taxpayers.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"26.743075453677\">\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 idxxkP\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 bsFdcS\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 bXqpHm\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.172%2C$multiply_1.2063%2C$ratio_0.666667%2C$width_378%2C$x_241%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/dbbf90ab964e72bd2054fac47417199397ea4ff4, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.172%2C$multiply_2.4127%2C$ratio_0.666667%2C$width_378%2C$x_241%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/dbbf90ab964e72bd2054fac47417199397ea4ff4 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.172%2C$multiply_1.1587%2C$ratio_0.666667%2C$width_378%2C$x_241%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/dbbf90ab964e72bd2054fac47417199397ea4ff4, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.172%2C$multiply_2.3175%2C$ratio_0.666667%2C$width_378%2C$x_241%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/dbbf90ab964e72bd2054fac47417199397ea4ff4 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Hungarian Opposition Leader Peter Magyar has emerged as a serious threat to Orb&aacute;n&rsquo;s position.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.172,%24multiply_1.545,%24ratio_0.666667,%24width_378,%24x_241,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/dbbf90ab964e72bd2054fac47417199397ea4ff4\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.172%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_0.666667%2C$width_378%2C$x_241%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/dbbf90ab964e72bd2054fac47417199397ea4ff4, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.172%2C$multiply_3.0899%2C$ratio_0.666667%2C$width_378%2C$x_241%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/dbbf90ab964e72bd2054fac47417199397ea4ff4 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 cLipJP\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 eROwEo\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 hMRMLa\"><span>Hungarian Opposition Leader Peter Magyar has emerged as a serious threat to Orb&aacute;n&rsquo;s position.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jnumBu\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jkEJCb\">Getty Images<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Trump also arranged urgent help for Orb&aacute;n last year by exempting Hungary from US sanctions on Russian oil and gas, a key issue for households in a landlocked nation that relies on Russian pipelines for essential energy.<\/p>\n<p>Orb&aacute;n looks like he needs all the support he can get. An opinion poll released last Friday by the Idea Institute showed that only 38 per cent of decided voters backed Orb&aacute;n and his party, Fidesz. It found that 48 per cent backed his challenger, Peter Magyar, a former government official who leads a centre-right party, Tisza.<\/p>\n<p>But those numbers only reflected voters who had made up their minds. The pollster found that 24 per cent of all voters were undecided.<\/p>\n<p>Orb&aacute;n is a skilled politician. He entered the Hungarian parliament upon the collapse of Communism in 1990 and was prime minister eight years later. He only lasted four years in his first term, but returned in 2010 and was re-elected in 2014, 2018 and 2022.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"21.707936507937\">\n<p>He shows no signs of moderating his style to win this uphill election race. As the election nears, he has stepped up his complaints about European Union leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-0 QbJUT\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-1 fNPBEP\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\" class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 cMGLSH\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 hUTlgn\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 bXqpHm\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.132084074074074%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_705%2C$y_132\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/d40a6814bb4c68b23f45a890a930d64f9789029a, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.132084074074074%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_705%2C$y_132\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/d40a6814bb4c68b23f45a890a930d64f9789029a 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.132084074074074%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_705%2C$y_132\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/d40a6814bb4c68b23f45a890a930d64f9789029a, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.132084074074074%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_705%2C$y_132\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/d40a6814bb4c68b23f45a890a930d64f9789029a 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas addresses the Munich Security Conference on Sunday.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_1.132084074074074,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_705,%24y_132\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/d40a6814bb4c68b23f45a890a930d64f9789029a\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.132084074074074%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_705%2C$y_132\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/d40a6814bb4c68b23f45a890a930d64f9789029a, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.132084074074074%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_705%2C$y_132\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/d40a6814bb4c68b23f45a890a930d64f9789029a 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 jiJqza\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>While others in Europe shun Russia, the Hungarian leader has visited Moscow several times, most recently in November last year and July the year before.<\/p>\n<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted him warmly last November. &ldquo;We are aware of your balanced position on the situation in Ukraine,&rdquo; he told Orb&aacute;n as television cameras captured the moment.<\/p>\n<p>Orb&aacute;n may be an outlier in the European Union, but he could also be a sign of things to come. He is vehemently against immigration and blames Brussels for making it too hard to turn people away. When Trump issues policies that warn of &ldquo;civilisational erasure&rdquo; in Europe, it is safe to assume that Orb&aacute;n agrees.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"28.32183908046\">\n<p>Others in Europe line up with him. There is Nigel Farage and Reform UK in Britain, as well as Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella at the National Rally in France, and Alice Weidel and the Alternative Fur Deutschland (or AfD) in Germany.<\/p>\n<p>The election in Hungary cannot be used as a barometer for the public mood in other countries, but a victory for Orb&aacute;n would keep a prominent Trump ally in power at a time when many other European leaders are trying to keep their distance from the US president.<\/p>\n<p>And there is a lesson from the campaign long before the votes are cast. There is a common misapprehension that Trump and his MAGA movement favour American isolation and want to desert Europe. In fact, they want to change it.<\/p>\n<p>Trump will engage in Europe when he sees an ally who needs his support. And he will endorse political leaders whenever he likes, as he did with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi last week, regardless of the conventions about staying out of other nations&rsquo; elections.<\/p>\n<p>The next two months will show how far Trump might go to keep a fellow populist in power. And how much his supporters would like to see Europe painted in MAGA gold.<\/p>\n<p><b><i>Get a note directly from our foreign <\/i><\/b><b><i>correspondents <\/i><\/b><b><i>on what&rsquo;s making headlines around the world. <\/i><\/b><b><i>Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter<\/i><\/b><b><i>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"article-footer\" class=\"sc-780f6c39-0 gMidPz\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-1 bXzMFW noPrint\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-2 fDvLNJ\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 cGFoDo sc-780f6c39-3 csnzsK\" readability=\"6.3137254901961\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 bYQiGM\"><svg fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 bRyYMS\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 bBuibL\">Save<\/span><\/button>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 BgjOX sc-d1b14060-3 bnLMbo\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"8.0816326530612\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 NcyxX\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your saved list to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-0 ckGUXQ\">\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-1 iROwGF\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"David Crowe\" data-testid=\"author-avatar-image\" height=\"40\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40,h_40,c_fill,g_auto:faces\/q_86,f_auto\/64ce109be56ceea0d7f4eb381757b1cddf9ee9b3\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40,h_40,c_fill,g_auto:faces\/q_86,f_auto\/64ce109be56ceea0d7f4eb381757b1cddf9ee9b3, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_80%2Ch_80%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/64ce109be56ceea0d7f4eb381757b1cddf9ee9b3 2x\" width=\"40\" class=\"sc-9a01536c-0 cJPmxL\"><span data-testid=\"author-bio\" class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-3 iaHQXJ\"><span>David Crowe is Europe correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.<\/span><span class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-4 jVqFia\">Connect via X<span> or <\/span>email.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"sc-3dbe4134-0 eKUqbd sc-df8e6ee0-0 noPrint\" data-an-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-group=\"everything\" data-an-cu-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-position=\"4\" data-testid=\"from-our-partners-strap\">\n<header class=\"sc-84567ec1-0 ea-dUAB\">\n<h2 data-pb-type=\"hi\" class=\"sc-84567ec1-1 qhIfr\"><span>From our partners<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"sc-df8e6ee0-1 dKvVOU\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hgOejj adWrapper noPrint sc-df8e6ee0-2 aNDAi\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hgOejj adWrapper noPrint sc-df8e6ee0-3 gRrJfI\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><sub>Trump&rsquo;s best friend in Europe counts on White House to stay in power<\/sub><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Advertisement February 17, 2026 &mdash; 11:56am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it News :&lt;div&gt;12 weeks&#8217; jail for school IT support technician who took&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/trumps-best-friend-in-europe-counts-on-white-house-to-stay-in-power\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;Trump\u2019s best friend in Europe counts on White House to stay in power&rdquo;<\/span> &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15807,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15806","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15806","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15806"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15806\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15807"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15806"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15806"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15806"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}