Former President Donald Trump on Saturday endorsed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, calling him a “tough and smart” leader.
The endorsement came in a video Orban posted on his Facebook page. In the video, Trump said Orban has done a “tremendous job” and is respected throughout Europe.
“He’s a man who has done, I think, a fantastic job,” Trump said. “He’s highly respected, respected all over Europe.”
Orban faces a tough re-election battle on April 3. He has been in power since 2010 and is seeking a fourth consecutive term.
While Orban has drawn international criticism for his crackdown on media freedoms and the judiciary, Trump praised his tough stance on immigration.
“He has very strong views on immigration like I do, and he’s respected for those views,” Trump said.
Orban is known for his hardline stance against migrants and refugees, erecting a border fence in 2015 to block their entry into Hungary. He has also been a vocal critic of the European Union’s immigration policies.
Trump’s endorsement could provide a boost to Orban’s campaign as he seeks to hold onto power in Hungary.