Commentators take it for granted that PM Orbán’s candidate will get his seat in the European Commission. A right-wing analyst believes that Navracsics’s questioning in the Cultural Committee of the European Parliament was meant to gloss over a deal that had been struck well in advance. READ MORE
Népszabadság thinks the future Hungarian Commissioner is an unprincipled man who dissociated himself from the government he has served for 4 years in order to get a seat in the European Commission. Magyar Nemzet writes that Tibor Navracsics kept his composure throughout the tough hearing. READ MORE
A left-wing analyst remarks that in its campaign ahead of Sunday’s municipal elections the radical right wing party is using a more moderate tone. He suggests that the softening of rhetoric is not just a tactical weapon but reflects a change in Jobbik’s social background. READ MORE
One week before the municipal elections, commentators see critical signs on both sides of the dividing line between mainstream parties. But they disagree on the nature of the political model being shaped by a majority which is increasingly left without a powerful opposition. READ MORE
A liberal pundit fears that hepatitis and AIDS may spread in Budapest as the right-wing mayor has withdrawn support from a drug users’ contact point in his district. His right-wing colleague finds the liberals guilty of fear-mongering. READ MORE
Index runs a lengthy fact-finding story to underpin the suspicion that Jobbik’s leading foreign affairs expert is a Russian secret service operative. He denies the charges and has threatened to sue the author and the news site. READ MORE
A left-liberal webmagazine expects a real clash within the Fidesz camp after the municipal elections in October, while a pro-government commentator suggests that “a new era will begin” on both sides. READ MORE
A conservative columnist welcomes the government’s plan to amend the criminal code so that child abuse becomes prosecutable without limitation. A liberal commentator, on the other hand, fears that child abuse accusations will be increasingly misused to discredit innocent people.
Two pro-government pundits agree that it would be foolish of Hungary to hesitate between East and West. They warn against the temptation to overemphasise disagreements with Hungary’s western allies. READ MORE