Matteo Salvini, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the League party, is heading to Budapest to aid Viktor Orbán, Hungary's Prime Minister, who is currently under pressure ahead of the upcoming elections. With just over three weeks left until the polls, Orbán is vying for his fifth consecutive term but is facing a much tighter race than in previous elections, prompting concerns about his electoral viability.

Recent polling indicates that Orbán, who leads the ruling Fidesz party, is no longer the clear favorite, creating an opportunity for opposition parties as they mount challenges to his administration. This shift in the political landscape is not only significant for Hungary, where Orbán has dominated, but it also has implications for right-wing politics across Europe, where leaders look to Orbán as a model for their own governance.

Salvini’s visit highlights the importance of cross-border alliances among populist and far-right parties in Europe, as they support each other in local electoral battles. The outcome of the Hungarian elections could have ripple effects, potentially destabilizing Orbán's government and influencing the future strategies of similar parties in Italy and beyond.