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Vance praises Orbán and accuses EU of ‘foreign interference’ in upcoming Hungarian election – Europe live | Hungary
JD Vance blasts ‘bureaucrats’ in Brussels for ‘one of worst examples of foreign election interference’ in Hungary
Amazingly, Vance then launches a tirade against “one of the worst examples of foreign election interference that I have ever seen,” lambasting “the bureaucrats in Brussels [who] have tried to destroy the economy of Hungary.”
“They’ve done it all because they hate this guy,” he says, calling their involvement “disgraceful.”
In a completely-not-interfering-with-the-vote-tone-at-all, he tells the Hungarian voters they should consider “not who is pro- or anti-Europe, who is pro- or anti-US, but who is pro-you and pro- the people of Hungary.”
“And my experience, I have seen a guy who is ferociously advocated for the interests of Hungary,” he says.
Without a hint of response to apparent contradiction at the very heart of his comments, he then ends his long praise for Orbán saying:
“Part of the reason why we’re here, and part of the reason why the president, the United States sent me here is because we think the amount of interference that’s come from the bureaucracy in Brussels has been truly disgraceful. I won’t tell the people of Hungary how to vote. I would encourage the bureaucrats in Brussels to do the exact same thing.”
Key events
Vance praises Orbán’s record on mediating with Russia, Ukraine
Vance then says that Orbán has been a “statesman” on Russia and Ukraine, and says alongside Trump they are “the two leaders who have done the most to actually end that destructive conflict.”
(Erm. 10:42)
“Your leadership has been a far, far more important and constructive partner for peace than almost anyone, anywhere else in the world,” he tells Orbán.
Orbán stands with US in defence of Christian western civilisation, JD Vance says
Vance then speaks about “moral cooperation” between the Trump administration and Orbán’s Hungary as they “stand up for the values of western civilisation.”
He says that cooperation includes “is the defence of Western civilisation,” as he attacks what he claims to be “indoctrination” on gender issues.
He goes on to say it is also “the defence of the idea that we are founded on a certain Christian civilisation and Christian values that animate everything from freedom of speech to rule of law, to respect for minority rights and protection of the vulnerable.”
He carries on:
“There is so much that unites the United States and Hungary, and unfortunately, there have been too few people who have been willing to stand up for the values of western civilisation. Viktor Orbán is the rare exception that has unfortunately proved the rule.”
Vance hails Orbán as Europe’s ‘single most profound leader in Europe’ on energy security
JD Vance continues by saying “there are so many things we could point to” in terms of US-Hungarian cooperation, as he hails Orbán as “the single profound leader in Europe on the question of energy security and independence.”
He then again openly criticises other EU leaders, saying that “it is funny to watch prime ministers and leaders in some of the western European capitals talk about the energy crisis, when, frankly, they should have been following the policies of Viktor Orbán in Hungary.”
“And if they had the energy crisis that they’re experiencing would be a lot less bad.”
He then says:
“We want Europe to be successful. We want European families to be able to afford to heat their homes and to build great things. We want Europe to be energy independent and even energy dominant, but it’s not going to be energy secure if it continues to follow the failed policies of the past.
And so I think Viktor has been a great example, and charting a course that could lead to a better, more prosperous and more energy secure Europe.”
‘I want to help as much as I can possibly help,’ JD Vance says in full-out endorsement of Orbán
JD Vance is up next and he doesn’t mince his words as he openly endorses Orbán ahead of the vote this Sunday.
He hails him as a close partner of the US president, Donald Trump, and says “we want to build upon those amazing things.”
He then goes into full throated endorsement of Orbán:
“I want to help as much as I possibly can the prime minister as he faces this election season, which I believe is happening in just about a week, the election to elect the next prime minister of Hungary.
Now, I don’t expect, of course, the people of Hungary to listen to the vice-president of the United States – that’s not primarily why I’m here.
But I did want to send a signal to everybody, particularly the bureaucrats in Brussels, who have done everything that they can to hold down the people of Hungary, because they don’t like the leader who has actually stood up for the people of Hungary.”
Trump’s elections ‘ushered golden era in our relations,’ Orbán says
Orbán and Vance are speaking now.
The Hungarian prime minister begins by repeating the narrative that “with the election of president Trump, … a golden era has been ushered in our relations” as he hails American FDI in Hungary.
He points to the US role in ensuring Hungary’s security and stresses the importance of their energy cooperation as he repeats his dramatic warnings about the impeding energy crisis that he says is about to hit Europe in the coming days and weeks.
Orbán then turns to Ukraine, saying Hungary has had to live “in the shadows of the war” for four years as he laments that “the Europeans, especially Brussels” in his view keep blocking peace talks with Russia.
He then repeats his allegations of “foreign security interference” in the Hungarian election.
Listing four top topics of their discussions, he also points to migration, “gender ideology”, family policy, and global security.
‘President loves you and so do I,’ JD Vance tells Orbán in Budapest
As we are still waiting for the press conference to begin, we are getting first comments from Orbán’s meeting with JD Vance, via the White House pool.
Ahead of their talks, Orbán said the meeting was an opportunity to exchange views on current affairs and what he sees as the fight for the “soul of the west,” it was reported.
He also received some praise from Vance, who reportedly said “the president loves you and so do I,” and added Orbán was “one of the only true statesmen in Europe” and wishing him good luck for this week’s elections.
“I just appreciate Victor’s friendship, because it is very rare you have somebody with this combination of diplomatic skill and wisdom. It’s very, very important to us that we continue to keep this relationship ongoing,” he said.
We are now getting more pictures from inside Orbán’s meeting with JD Vance in Budapest.
There are also some government-issued handout pictures, showing the pair deep in conversation with the backdrop of the Hungarian capital.
They are expected to hold a joint press conference sooner rather than later, and I will bring you all the key lines here.
Sarkozy insists he is innocent as he faces fresh trial over Libyan funding allegations
Angelique Chrisafis
in Paris
Elsewhere, Nicolas Sarkozy has told a Paris court of appeal he is innocent as he faces a fresh trial over allegations he conspired to receive illegal election campaign funding from the regime of the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
The former rightwing French president, who was in office between 2007 and 2012, said: “Gaddafi had no hold over me, not political, not financial, not personal.”
Last year, Sarkozy was sentenced to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy over the alleged scheme to obtain election campaign funds from Gaddafi’s regime. He became the first former head of an EU country to serve time in prison, and the first French postwar leader to go behind bars.
After 20 days in a Paris jail, which he described as “gruelling” and a “nightmare”, Sarkozy was released from prison in November, pending his appeal, and published a book about his time inside. He was in solitary confinement for his own security, in an individual cell of about 9 sq metres with his own shower and toilet.
Sarkozy has been accused of making a deal, as interior minister in 2005, with Gaddafi to obtain campaign financing for his successful 2007 presidential bid in exchange for supporting the then-isolated Libyan government on the international stage. Sarkozy denied this.
Last year, Sarkozy was found guilty of one count of criminal conspiracy over the scheme to obtain election funds from Libya. He was acquitted of three other charges of corruption, misuse of Libyan public funds and illegal election campaign funding.
Sarkozy is now on trial again on all four counts at the fresh trial on appeal after he appealed against his conviction and the state prosecutor appealed against the acquittals.
If convicted, Sarkozy, 71, faces up to 10 years in prison.
Orbán and JD Vance just briefly appeared before the photographers for a quick handshake, but they did take any questions.
The Hungarian prime minister appeared to be quite interested in engaging with reporters, but the US vice-president shut them down saying “we will do a press conference later.”
We are expecting to hear from JD Vance later today twice, first at a joint press conference with Viktor Orbán and then at a pre-election rally disguised as Hungarian-American Friendship day.
He is about to meet Orbán any moment now for a quick handshake for photographers to formally kick-off the visit.
As you can see, the preparations are now in final stages…
The family of Shaun Burton, say they are “devastated” by the loss.
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Key events
In the opening half an hour against Cape Verde, Mikel Oyarzabal, the centre-forward, did not get a single touch.
Kyle Green gets in touch: “Your highlighting of Lalas and his absurdity is something that has prevented me from wanting to watch the coverage on Fox. While every channel has its pros and cons I just can’t.
“I’m 45 and probably the youngest of anyone who remembers him as a player instead of an opinionated insert insult here. As for the match this could be more competitive than it looks on paper Spain need a win the pressure is on them. Saudi Arabia could hold out for a draw and see what happens in their last match. “
News from the England camp, and it seems to be good news on Declan Rice.
“I’m ready and fit, raring to go. I was feeling a little bit of neural pain in my hamstring, which I was managing from after Christmas with Arsenal for a very long time. Obviously, not a lot of people would have known that. It was all behind-the-scenes stuff but it was a smart decision.
“In the end, that last 20 minutes is probably where you pick up the most, and it’s where you play a 70-minute match. But that last 20 is where you really feel your body going for it. And I think it was a smart decision because the last few days I felt really, really good.”
Alex Reid has penned today’s weekend special Football Daily.
Portugal v Uzbekistan on Tuesday enticingly pits the incredibly nice, incredibly 41-year-old-superstar-tolerant Roberto Martínez against Fabio Cannavaro, who’s won a Ballon d’Or as a player and the Chinese Super League as a coach. While the fixture following that game really does see the dream of Thomas Tuchel – in his first international job with England – taking on Queiroz, who is in charge of his ninth national side with Ghana.
The expected formations are 4-2-3-1 for Spain, and 5-3-2 for the Saudi Arabians.
The Saudi team features two Donis changes: Ali Lajami, a defender, and Nasser Al Dawsari, a midfielder, are preferred to Mohammed Abu Al Shamat and Mohamed Kanno. You may recall Salem Al Dawsari, the Saudi captain, as the man who scored the winner against Argentina.
An entertaining read, even for those of us who have just seen the clips.
In a conversation where his co-panelist is casually reminiscing about his days playing alongside Messi or exchanging shirts with Ronaldo Nazário at the World Cup, what exactly is Lalas going to talk about – coming on as a second-half substitute for Earnie Stewart in a friendly against Scotland in 1998? Helping the Kansas City Wizards finish last in the 1999 MLS Western Conference? Did Lalas enjoy an elite playing career? No. But does he do the background reading that could compensate for his relative lack of standing in a conversation with titans like Henry and Zlatan? Also no. But is he charming or funny or charismatic or otherwise magnetic on screen? Eh, no.
For the record, I once interviewed Alexi Lalas on the challenge of playing against Romario in the 1994 World Cup. He had this to say:
“He could kill you in so many different ways. If you remember from that World Cup, he scored so many types of goals. That ranged from solo adventures to an outside-of-the-right-foot half-volley off a corner kick. Romario was both the most difficult to play against and the best that I have faced.
“Roberto Baggio was doing his thing, but in terms of consistency and living up to the hype, he [Romario] was the best. As with all stars, there was a moment when the fans sit up in their seats, and that was a feeling I got with Romario. When it got close to him and the potential for his involvement in a play was there, everybody sat up in their seat. They knew that something spectacular would be happening.”
Saturday’s match reports here.
The Saudi Arabia coach, and Blackburn legend, Georgios Donis, spoke about the challenges facing his team: “Spain is not the same team when Yamal or Williams are on the bench.
“While they still have plenty of possession, they lack the individual one-on-one penetration when these two are missing. I’m not saying it’s a problem for Spain, but when those players are missing, they play in a different way. We saw this very clearly against Cape Verde.
“We are playing against one of the best teams in the world, and it’s very important that when you play against these kinds of teams, you should enjoy the experience and respect the opponent, but not too much.
“It is very hard for any team playing against Spain to have any time in possession. So what we must do is to be more in control of our movement and compact, and when the ball goes through the lines, be able to defend dynamically.
“It’s nice to see miracles in football, and we’ve seen favourites losing against underdogs. Of course, it’s great for Saudi football to have a great memory of the result against Argentina, but we aren’t drawing anything from that.
“I think we’ll feel more pressure in that [Cape Verde] game than we will against Spain.”
The Spain coach, Luis De La Fuente had this to say in his Saturday press conference: “This generation of footballers is highly competitive and really fired up… It’s going to be a completely different story,” he said at his pre-match press conference on Saturday. There is no drama or crisis. The bottom line is simply that we need to win tomorrow.”
Four changes for Spain: Lamine Yamal, Pedro Porro, Dani Olmo and Alex Baena also come into the side with Marcos Llorente, Fabian Ruiz, Ferran Torres and Gavi dropping out.
The teams – Lamine Yamal starts
Spain: Simon, Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella, Gonzalez, Rodri, Yamal, Olmo, Baena, Oyarzabal. Subs: Raya, Joan Garcia, Pubill, Grimaldo, Eric Garcia, Llorente, Merino, Torres, Fabian, Gavi, Pino, Williams, Zubimendi, Munoz, Iglesias.
Saudi Arabia: Al Owais, Abdulhamid, Tambakti, Lajami, Al Amri, Al Harbi, Nasser Al Dawsari, Al Khaibari, Al Juwayr, Al Buraikan, Salem Al Dawsari. Subs: Al Aqidi, Al Kassar, Majrashi, Yahya, Al Shehri, Al Boushal, Kadesh, Al Johani, Al Ghannam, Al Hajji, Al Hamdan, Mandash, Kanno, Thakri, Abu Al Shamat.
Referee: Raphael Claus (Brazil)
Perhaps one of the Saudi -players can write themselves into this high-grade selection?
Perhaps it can be their goalkeeper.
Madrid screening of Spain v Saudi Arabia cancelled due to heat
The public screening of Spain’s World Cup match against Saudi Arabia in Madrid on Sunday has been cancelled because of extreme heat forecast for the Spanish capital, officials said.
The match, due to kick off at 6pm local time on Sunday, had been scheduled to be shown on a giant screen installed by the Spanish football federation (RFEF) at a fan zone in Plaza de Colón in central Madrid.
Madrid city council and the federation decided to cancel the screening after national weather agency AEMET issued an orange heat warning – the second-highest level – for the Madrid region, with temperatures forecast to reach 40C.
“The decision has been taken with the aim of protecting the health of attendees, event staff and support services involved in the event,” Madrid city hall said in a statement, apologising for any inconvenience.
Officials urged supporters to watch the match indoors in air-conditioned spaces and avoid prolonged exposure to the heat.
Large parts of Spain are experiencing unusually high temperatures for June as a mass of hot air from North Africa moves across the Iberian Peninsula.
A total of 13 of Spain’s 17 regions are on orange alert for heat on Sunday, while the northern Basque Country bordering France is on red alert, the highest level.
Authorities advised residents and visitors to take precautions during the heatwave, including drinking water regularly, staying in cool environments, limiting outdoor physical activity during the hottest hours of the day and taking extra care of vulnerable people. AFP
Can Saudi Arabia repeat the magic of 2022?
Argentina arrived in Qatar on a 36-game unbeaten run. When Lionel Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 10 minutes, a comfortable afternoon seemed in the offing. Saleh al-Shehri and Salem al-Dawsari had other ideas, Argentina had three goals disallowed for offside in the space of 13 minutes and the greatest comeback in Saudi Arabia football history was made. Argentina went on to lift the trophy, while defeats to Poland and Mexico meant the Saudis did not reach the knock-out stage.
Unai Simon over David Raya is a controversial choice for De la Fuentes. The Arsenal keeper could lay claim to being Europe’s best this season.
“Those at the Champions League final had a few more days, so I got there on the Wednesday night,” Raya says. “I arrived a bit before Fabián [Ruiz]. I was saying hello to some of the others in reception when he arrived. I went to say congratulations; that was almost the first thing I did. I couldn’t really talk [to him] after the final; I just didn’t have it in me. The next day we talked about the game properly. Just two mates chatting … I was happy for him that he could lift the trophy for a second time.”
A high pressure game for the European champions, as Sid Lowe reports.
“If we had scored one, the game would have changed,” Martín Zubimendi said. Immediately after the game, De la Fuente had offered a simple analysis: when the ball doesn’t want to go in it doesn’t want to go in, he insisted. Spain had racked up 27 shots, after all. Ferran Torres had hit the bar and seen another clear opportunity saved. Vozinha, the 40-year-old goalkeeper who stopped that, saved six more and was named the man of the match. “There’s nothing to reproach the team for,” Rodri said. “We generated chances but couldn’t put it away; the good thing is they created almost nothing.”
We wait to see what role Lamine Yamal will play today. His coach would surely like to be able to use him.
The worst mistake we could make would be to compare him to anyone. He is the midst of a process. He has exceptional footballing maturity and lives it all with total naturalness. He has great serenity and strength. We have to let him follow his path but those players who have something different are ready for that. They’re geniuses, like Dalí [who] can paint a picture, or Michelangelo. They’re different. What is exceptional to us, isn’t to them. In those extremes, they feel comfortable. Why? Because they are different. What we think is exceptional, they consider normal.
Preamble
Spain’s campaign did not get off to a flying start, and Luis de la Fuentes may wake up in the night to visions of Cape Verde’s Vozinha. He will have Georgia on his mind ever since Monday. Saudi Arabia are no pushovers and gave Uruguay a scare in their opening match. Memories of downing Argentina four years ago still abound, and so Spain might beware. They can ill afford to go into the final game with Uruguay at a disadvantage. All eyes on Lamine Yamal, whose fitness situation remains opaque, though Spain need their other forwards to come to the party.
Kick-off 5pm UK, 1pm ET, 2am AEST. Join me.
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