JD Vance defends backing 'great guy' Orbán's campaign after landslide defeat

"Orbán was a 'great guy' who did a 'very good job'."

— JD Vance , Politician

"No foreign country may interfere in Hungarian elections."

— Péter Magyar , Politician

"The US was a 'strong and important' Nato partner."

— Péter Magyar , Politician

"He had never been allowed on public TV, until he was asked on Monday morning."

— Péter Magyar , Politician

"There was 'swift work to be done to... restore the rule of law [and] realign with our shared European values'."

— Ursula von der Leyen , Politician

"The MAGAs should really stop campaigning internationally because everyone and everything they support loses the elections."

— Theo Francken , Politician

"Everyone must defend their national interests, and our interests do not always align with those of the U.S."

— Louis Aliot , Politician

"We want you to make a decision about your future with no outside forces pressuring you or telling you what to do."

— JD Vance , Politician

"The election result is painful for us, but clear."

— Viktor Orbán , Politician

"Hungarians said yes to Europe today, they said yes to a free Hungary."

— Péter Magyar , Politician

"Hungarians have always been very close to the United States."

— Thierry Mariani , Politician

"The US tariffs against Europe are punishing and Washington’s involvement in the current war in Iran is difficult for us to comprehend."

— Fabrice Leggeri , Politician

"The best way to replace non-democratic regimes around the world would be by respecting international law, and it is clear that recent strong-arm actions by the US have raised some doubts."

— Paolo Borchia , Politician

"Vance’s support was a very foolish campaign move."

— Theo Francken , Politician

"Oppositions can win despite a tilted playing field."

— Steven Levitsky , Academic

"Don’t fiddle-paddle in other democracies’ elections."

— Don Bacon , Politician