Vance, who will be accompanied by his wife Usha Vance during the visit on April 7–8, "will also make statements about the rich partnership between the United States and Hungary," the White House said. Pro-Russian nationalist Orban, who has close ties with the administration of President Donald Trump, will face the most serious political challenge to his power in the elections. If Orban's conservative party Fidesz wins the elections scheduled for April 12, he will remain in office for a fifth consecutive term as prime minister. However, independent polls show that he is trailing behind opposition leader Peter Madiar in popularity. In March, Trump expressed support for Orban, calling him in a video address from the Oval Office "a strong leader who has shown the world what is possible when you defend your borders, your culture, your heritage, your sovereignty, and your values." In mid-February, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Hungary.