Key facts
- Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has endorsed Marine Le Pen as the preferred candidate for the French far-right presidential election.
- Le Pen is currently ineligible to run for five years following a conviction for embezzling European Parliament funds.
- An appeal against Le Pen's conviction is set to be heard on July 7.
- Orbán cited "old friendships" and political alignment as reasons for his support for Le Pen.
- Le Pen has expressed that Jordan Bardella would be a suitable replacement if she cannot run.
Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has publicly declared his support for Marine Le Pen as the potential presidential candidate for the French far-right, despite her current ineligibility to run. Orbán, speaking during his first visit to Brussels since losing power, stated that his "personal loyalty" and that of his Fidesz party lie with Le Pen, whom he described as a "legend."
Le Pen, the leader of the National Rally party in the French parliament, is barred from participating in elections for five years following a conviction for embezzling European Parliament funds. An appeal against this ruling is scheduled for July 7. Orbán indicated that Fidesz's affiliation with the "Patriots for Europe" group in the European Parliament, alongside National Rally MEPs, was due to Le Pen.
Orbán declined to commit to campaigning for Jordan Bardella, the 30-year-old MEP who is poised to be the National Rally's candidate if Le Pen is unable to run. Le Pen herself has expressed that Bardella would be a suitable successor if her legal appeal fails, stating it would be a "relief" for her.
Earlier this year, Le Pen had praised Orbán for blocking a significant EU loan for Ukraine. Orbán suggested that Hungarians, being "romantic," sometimes prioritize "old friendships" even if it incurs short-term political costs.