Hungary’s Orban raises concerns about Trump’s surprise for EU leaders

Viktor Orban spoke by phone with Donald Trump on Thursday, raising concerns among some European Union officials that the Hungarian prime minister may be planning to invite him to an upcoming EU meeting if he wins the US election next week.

Orban, who posted on social media that he spoke to the Republican presidential candidate to wish him luck ahead of the November 5 vote, may ask him to join EU leaders via video link or share a recorded message when they meet in Budapest next week. according to several EU diplomats.

Such a move would likely irritate many other EU leaders, the diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The Hungarian prime minister has developed a close relationship with Trump, which he will likely seek to capitalize on should the former US president return to the White House. Opinion polls in the US indicate the race is a toss-up and it could be several days before the results are known.

An informal EU summit will be held in Budapest on November 8, followed by a larger meeting of the European Political Community the day before. The bloc’s leaders are expected to discuss the election results at a dinner on November 7.

Some of the diplomats said rumors of a potential invitation had been circulating in Brussels for some time, reflecting concerns in some capitals about Hungary for previously leaving them in the dark.