Tim Walz calls Viktor Orbán a dictator. For JD Vance, he’s a role model.

The two U.S. vice presidential candidates, Democrat Tim Walz and Republican JD Vance, have little in common. The contrast in their worldviews can be seen in their treatment of Hungary’s controversial leader, Viktor Orbán.

In a recent interview with Fox News, Kamala Harris’ fresh pick for her running mate claimed that Hungary’s prime minister is not a democratic leader.

“A foreign policy that respects our alliances — not cozying up to dictators like [Vladimir] Putin and Orbán — [is] the way to go,” he said on July 23.

In saying that, Minnesota Governor Walz went further than President Joe Biden, who said in March that Orbán “doesn’t think democracy works, he’s looking for dictatorship.” Biden’s comment sparked outrage in the Hungarian government, which has been seeking ever-improving relations with the Republicans, and especially their vice presidential nominee, Vance.

Vance, who was announced as Donald Trump’s running mate on July 15, has spoken highly of Orbán on many issues — from higher education to social policy to “de-woke-ification.”

“What do you do at the Department of Education? Well, you do what Viktor Orbán has done in Hungary, which is basically say, ‘You’re not allowed to teach critical race theory anymore, you’re not allowed to teach critical gender theory anymore … You’re not allowed to do those things and get a dollar of federal money or a dollar of state money,’” Vance said on a right-wing podcast last September.

He has even defended Orbán’s close ties with Beijing, claiming, “Why is Viktor Orbán getting closer to China? In part because American leadership is not making smart decisions.”

Minnesota Governor Walz went further than President Joe Biden, who said in March that Orbán “doesn’t think democracy works.” | Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Hungary’s prime minister, who has ruled his country for 14 years, was the only foreign leader besides Kim Jong Un that Trump mentioned in his nomination acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention.

“Hungary, strong country. Run by a very powerful, tough leader. He’s a tough guy. The press doesn’t like him because he’s tough. Viktor Orbán, prime minister of Hungary, very tough man,” Trump said in his speech.

Not surprisingly, the Hungarian leader is placing all his chips on a Republican victory in November, saying in his speech at the Tusványos summer camp in late July: “Trump is at the gates.” Orbán even claims that his advisers have “entered the program-writing system of President Donald Trump’s team” and are “deeply involved” there.