Hóman remembered for both his merits and his sins

A pro-government writer admits that monuments to historic heroes should only be erected after a thorough public debate on their merits and faults.

Obama discloses pressure against Hóman’s statue

Commenting on President Obama’s remarks on how the United States acted to prevent the erection of a statue to interwar Culture Minister Bálint Hóman, a left-wing newspaper calls the government’s attitude shameful, while a pro-government daily quotes an official statement denying that the government yielded to foreign pressure in scrapping the project.

Juncker criticised for praising Marx

Pro- and anti-government conservatives fulminate against European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker wo delivered a speech in Trier, Karl Marx’s birthplace when a gigantic statue of the founder of Communism was unveiled. The monument is a gift rom China. A left-wing historian praises Marx’s scientific and moral achievement.

Lukács’ statue removed

Ahead of a memorial event planned in the park where the communist philosopher’s statue stood until late March, two opposing views have been expressed in the press on whether or not György Lukács should be revered as a valuable part of Hungary’s intellectual heritage.

US Ambassador to the UN criticizes Hungarian government

A pro-government columnist rejects the accusations of state-sponsored anti-Semitism suggested by Samantha Power, the US Ambassador to the UN. A left-wing commentator, on the other hand, thinks that by tolerating racist discourse, the government has endangered good relations with the US.

Statue strife Nr 2: György Donáth

Commenting on a foiled initiative to unveil the bust of a pre-war right-wing politician, left-wing commentators accuse the government of indulging in a cult of racist personalities. Their pro-government counterpart denies the allegation that György Donáth was an anti-Semite, while an independent conservative author calls on the opposing sides to show more tolerance ...

Holocaust denier sentenced to fine – or jail

As a Facebook commenter is sentenced to pay a high fine or go to prison for Holocaust denial, commentators wonder whether  sanctioning hate speech makes sense as a means of fighting anti-Semitism.

Christmas ruminations on the culture wars

A conservative commentator calls for more moderation and sensitivity in ideological debates. Although the country can be run without a meaningful exchange of ideas, excessive polarization is harmful for society and the individual.

Criticism of planned statue of anti-Semitic Interwar Minister of Education

The leading left-wing daily criticizes plans to honour the memory of historian Bálint Hóman, who as Minister of Education and Religion under Regent Miklos Horthy was actively involved in anti-Semitic legislation.