In the wake of Prime Minister Orbán’s calls for stricter immigration policies within the European Union, weeklies ruminate over the steeply mounting number of asylum seekers and fear that rather than a transit country, Hungary will be targeted by them as their future country of residence. READ MORE
As opposition groupings plan to hold demonstrations to welcome Chancellor Merkel in Budapest in February, commentators believe she will concentrate on relations with Russia rather than internal Hungarian affairs. READ MORE
A leading pro-government journalist quotes international comments in praise of PM Orbán, for deciding to convert mortgages denominated in foreign currencies before the surge of the Swiss Franc. The move helped hundreds of thousands of households avert catastrophic losses. READ MORE
Left-wing commentators join opposition politicians in condemning the Prime Minister for his comments that Hungary will not become a target destination for ‘economic migrants’. A right-wing blogger reminds them – and the US Chargé d’Affaires – of the Mexico-US border fence erected against illegal immigration. READ MORE
A left-wing analyst calls opposition plans to protest against the planned visit of the Russian president absurd. He argues that parties of the Left may legitimately demand to be informed and involved, but opposing negotiations would not be worthy of parties who want one day to govern. READ MORE
A left-wing commentator predicts that despite all the challenges facing the European Union it will not break-up, and 2015 will not bring major setbacks to the process of European integration. READ MORE
Left-wing bloggers wonder if the demonstrations continuing into the New Year carry messages meaningful enough to eventually produce a new political majority, while conservative commentators suggest that the organisers have yet to offer constructive proposals for Hungary, beyond the desire to rid the country of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. READ MORE
Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany is expected to pay a short visit to Hungary next month at a time when Hungarian-American relations are strained and when government circles consider Germany to be Hungary’s main reference point in international politics. READ MORE