Navrotsky's office now says that he did not support Orbán

Marcin Przydacz, head of the International Policy Department at the Office of the President of Poland, stated that Karol Nawrocki’s visit to Budapest in late March was not an act of support for Viktor Orbán during the election campaign. The official dismissed accusations of lobbying for the Hungarian prime minister’s interests as “pro-government propaganda,” explaining that the trip was necessary to mark Polish-Hungarian Friendship Day. 

Polsat News reports on the denial of any political subtext to the meeting, which took place despite Budapest’s pro-Russian stance.

Pszydacz emphasized that it is important for Poland to cooperate with Hungary in countering Brussels’ dominance, despite differences in eastern and energy policy. He also noted that Navrotsky had publicly called Vladimir Putin a war criminal and Russia a threat, which rules out any sympathy for the Kremlin’s policies. According to the Administration representative, none of the Polish president’s statements in Budapest contained words of direct support for the Fidesz party. The controversy surrounding the visit intensified due to criticism from Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who linked Navrotsky’s trip to Hungary’s restrictions on gas supplies to Ukraine. Currently, the Polish opposition and the government continue to exchange accusations regarding the appropriateness of contacts with Orbán’s team.

Following Orbán’s defeat, Nawrocki expressed respect for the sovereign choice of the Hungarian people and a willingness to cooperate with the new government of the Tisa party.

Trump declined to comment on the defeat of Orbán’s friend in the Hungarian elections.