Following a March visit to Hungary, a Polish presidential aide clarified that President Karol Nawrocki’s statements did not endorse Viktor Orbán’s campaign.
Polish-Hungarian Friendship Day and Budapest Meeting
Presidents of Poland and Hungary, Karol Nawrocki and Tamás Sulyok, participated in Polish-Hungarian Friendship Day celebrations in Przemyśl, Poland, in late March. Discussions continued in Budapest, where Nawrocki met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
The visit occurred during a heated election period, with Orbán, in power for 16 years, seeking support amid unfavorable polls predicting a loss.
Przydacz on Nawrocki’s Visit
Marcin Przydacz, Head of the International Policy Bureau in the President’s Chancellery, stated in a recent interview that he has repeatedly been highly critical of Viktor Orbán regarding Eastern and energy policy.
Przydacz acknowledged areas of criticism towards Orbán’s Fidesz party, but noted alignment on issues like the increasing dominance of Brussels, requiring cooperation.
Presidential Aide: No Support for Orbán
Przydacz emphasized the visit’s context within the Polish-Hungarian Friendship Days. He affirmed that none of President Nawrocki’s public statements constituted support for Viktor Orbán.
Government Opposition to the Visit
The meeting took place on March 23rd, despite opposition from the Polish government. Donald Tusk expressed concern that visiting Orbán before the parliamentary elections in Hungary was detrimental to Polish interests.
Nawrocki’s Direct Feedback to Orbán
Nearly a month after the visit, Karol Nawrocki stated in an interview with Kanał Zero that it was his first opportunity to directly convey his views to the then-Prime Minister regarding Putin and Hungary’s sourcing of resources from the Russian Federation.
Orbán’s Defeat and Political Shift in Hungary
Following parliamentary elections on April 12th, Hungary will see a change in leadership. Viktor Orbán (Fidesz) will step down after 16 years, replaced by Péter Magyar, whose TISZA group secured 137 of 199 seats in the National Assembly.