Germany Rejects U.S. Vice President's Accusations of EU Interference in Hungary's Election

Germany has dismissed U.S. Vice President JD Vance's allegations that the European Union is interfering in Hungary's upcoming parliamentary election. Deputy government spokesperson Sebastian Hille stated that Vance's recent visit to Budapest, during which he endorsed Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, could itself be seen as election interference.

"I would like to point out—since Vance is complaining about the EU's alleged interference in the election—that the U.S. vice president was in Hungary just a few days before the election. This fact alone speaks for itself as to who is interfering," Hille told reporters.

During his visit, Vance accused EU officials of attempting to undermine Hungary's economy and influence the election outcome.

"The bureaucrats in Brussels have tried to destroy the economy of Hungary. They have tried to make Hungary less energy independent. They have tried to drive up costs for Hungarian consumers. And they've done it all because they hate this guy," Vance said, referring to Orbán.

Vance's remarks have drawn criticism from Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar, who emphasized the importance of national sovereignty in elections.

"No foreign country may interfere in Hungarian elections," Magyar wrote on X. "This is our country. Hungarian history is not written in Washington, Moscow, or Brussels—it is written in Hungary's streets and squares."

The German government has stated that Chancellor Friedrich Merz has no preference regarding the outcome of Hungary's election and will respect the choice of the Hungarian people.