Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek sharply criticized President Nawrocki’s planned meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, citing Orbán’s close ties to Putin and the timing ahead of Hungarian parliamentary elections.
Nawrocki’s Visit Draws Criticism
On March 23rd, President Nawrocki participated in Polish-Hungarian Friendship Day celebrations in Przemyśl alongside Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok. A visit to Budapest, where Nawrocki is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, was also planned for the same day.
Justice Minister Żurek assessed the visit as “against Poland’s interests,” expressing “great concern” and believing that sentiment is widely shared by the Polish public.
Orbán Accused of Acting Against Polish Interests
Żurek stated that Orbán is actively working to the detriment of Poland, maintaining close and strategic ties with Vladimir Putin. He criticized the President’s decision to meet with Orbán immediately before the Hungarian elections.
Żurek believes the visit is harmful to Poland’s security and potentially damaging to the President’s reputation.
Hungarian Elections and Orbán’s Support
Parliamentary elections are scheduled in Hungary on April 12th. The opposition party TISZA, led by Péter Magyar, currently leads Fidesz, Orbán’s party, in most independent polls, with a 20-point advantage among decided voters according to a February Median poll.
Orbán has received endorsements from former U.S. President Donald Trump, and Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced that U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance will also visit Hungary before the elections.
Minister Labels Orbán a “Close Friend of Putin”
Żurek emphasized that it has been customary for heads of state to avoid involvement in elections of other countries. He argued that President Nawrocki has broken with this tradition.
“He is going to the closest friend of Vladimir Putin. Why? To support him with his presence before the elections, and we know that there is a game there about whether Orbán will survive or lose power, because the Hungarians have had enough of him,” Żurek stated.
Security Concerns and Delayed Funds
Żurek highlighted Orbán’s actions as undermining the security of the European Union, particularly his frequent meetings with Putin. He pointed to the delay in receiving billions in funds for military equipment Poland transferred to Ukraine, funds intended for modernizing the Polish army.
He argued that these funds could be used to purchase modern weaponry, and that Orbán is contributing to a decline in Poland’s security. Żurek suggested Nawrocki should issue an ultimatum to Orbán to release the funds.
Past Disagreement and Shifting Stance
In November 2025, Karol Nawrocki declined to meet with Viktor Orbán at a Visegrád Group summit due to Orbán’s prior visit to Moscow and meeting with Vladimir Putin. The Presidential Palace initially viewed this as a “strong signal” to Hungary.
However, the Palace now considers Nawrocki’s current decision to meet with Orbán despite his relationship with Putin as not a reason to permanently sever ties, recognizing Orbán as the most important Hungarian politician.
