European leaders generally favor stability over Trump’s unpredictability, while Orbán openly supports him.
[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]
Most European leaders are remaining diplomatic and observing the US presidential campaign from a distance, with the exception of Viktor Orbán and Fidesz, who openly promote Donald Trump as their favorite. Many EU politicians, including conservatives, are actually comfortable with another Trump presidency because the Republican candidate’s track record has lacked reliability and predictability, which the EU seeks in its international relations. While Trump aligns politically with some conservative European parties, his foreign policy rationality is questionable due to actions like initiating trade wars, unilaterally withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, and leaving the Paris climate agreement. His “America first” policy further complicates his appeal as a reliable negotiating partner for Europe, especially given Europe’s increased reliance on the US for security following the war in Ukraine. Trump has also raised concerns regarding NATO commitments. Consequently, while Harris might not be the ideal candidate for EU leaders, she is at least less problematic than Trump.
In Austria, political analysts suggest that the ÖVP feels a degree of neutrality towards both candidates, noting ideological similarities between the party and US conservatives, but pointing out that Trump aligns more closely with far-right populists like the FPÖ. The Austrian Foreign Minister expressed frustration over the uncertainty surrounding the election, while Finnish President Alexander Stubb simply stated they are waiting for the election to end. In Italy, Georgia Meloni has maintained a cautious stance, emphasizing national interests and pragmatic diplomacy to ensure Italian interests remain central regardless of the US outcome.
In contrast, Viktor Orbán openly supports Donald Trump, frequently praising his past policies and expressing expectations that Trump will be re-elected in 2024 as “the president of peace.” His meeting with Trump in Florida further highlights this alignment over engaging with the Democratic administration. The article concludes that Fidesz’s strategy seems focused on portraying Harris negatively while maintaining clear support for Trump, suggesting Hungarian policy is not fully considering Harris as an individual candidate.
