Lajos Simicska’s war on Fidesz

A pro-government commentator and a political analyst ponder the implications of the coordinated attack by media mogul Lajos Simicska and Jobbik on PM Orbán.

Magyar Idők published as Magyar Nemzet

Four years after its transformation into a government-critical daily, and nine month after it was closed down, Magyar Nemzet has been relaunched by the editors of Magyar Idők. It is practically Magyar Idők with just the title being changed. The new Magyar Nemzet claims that it will stand for national ...

HírTV back in the government fold

Left-wing commentators see the takeover of Hungary’s first TV news channel as a sign of mounting authoritarianism, while pro-government newspapers declare that justice has been done.

Jobbik in free fall

Commenting on the latest opinion polls, a pro-government analyst contends that Jobbik is in deep crisis, and will find it extremely hard to reverse its decline.

Simicska sells his businesses

A left-wing pundit describes the former Fidesz party treasurer as an emblematic figure of Hungary’s recent past. He suspects that his media empire may end up in pro-government hands.

Jobbik on the brink of a split

As Jobbik expels radical right-wing László Toroczkai, two pro-government pundits wonder about the fate of Jobbik.

Heti Válasz shuts down

The highest circulation conservative weekly owned by the media mogul Lajos Simicska closes down after announcing insolvency.  The editor ascribes the failure of his weekly to the hostile political environment.

Magyar Nemzet shuts down

As media tycoon Lajos Simicska withdraws from several important outlets, commentators complain that a piece of Hungarian history is disappearing with the daily Magyar Nemzet – unless a political investor manages to save it.

Simicska’s ’atom bomb’ attack is off?

A liberal commentator suggests that widespread speculation about Lajos Simicska holding a decisive trump card against the government that he would put on the table to cause devastating damage to PM Orbán before the election, was a case of wishful thinking.

Wholesale corruption charges levelled and dismissed

Magyar Nemzet accuses unnamed officials of having channelled vast amounts of bribes to offshore accounts. One of the ‘money couriers’ is allegedly a ‘protected witness’ in the USA. Magyar Idők quotes a series of official statements characterising the report as groundless.