David Pressman takes over as US Ambassador to Hungary

The leading pro-government daily criticizes the next US ambassador for openly denouncing Hungary and expressing concern over the state of democracy.

In Magyar Nemzet, László Szőcs finds it unusual and even rude that David Pressman in his Senate hearing harshly criticized Hungary. Szőcs recalls that Pressman said that in Hungary, ‘threats to democracy are real’ and he expressed concerns over human rights, democracy and media freedom. Szőcs contends that such open criticism from a NATO ally is an insult not only to the Hungarian government but to most Hungarians as well. The pro-government commentator agrees with Foreign Minister Szijjártó who commented on Mr Pressman’s words by suggesting that the new US ambassador will try to pressure Hungary in order to promote liberal gender ideology as well as a global minimum tax.  Szőcs concludes by suggesting that the government should do its best to maintain good relations with the Biden administration despite the ideological differences – and hopes that Republicans allied to PM Orbán will gain a majority in the US Senate at the mid-term elections in the Fall.

Tags: diplomacy, foreign affairs, US