Government ponders payroll tax cut
Thursday, September 8th, 2016Two economists doubt that the government’s plan to reduce payroll taxes would help boost the economy and improve employment. READ MORE
Author Archive
Migration realities – beyond the shouting
Tuesday, September 6th, 2016A conservative commentator finds the divisive debate over migration counterproductive. He adds that despite its harsh anti-immigrant rhetoric, the government is by no means sealing off Hungary’s borders. READ MORE
PM Orbán announces new border fence
Monday, August 29th, 2016The leading left-wing daily likens the Hungarian Prime Minister’s plan to erect a new fence on Hungary’s southern border, to the Israeli wall in the West Bank. Népszabadság wonders if Hungary would shoot at refugees if the new defence line does not stop them. READ MORE
Olympic culture war
Monday, August 29th, 2016In their overall assessment of the Rio Olympic Games, Hungarian pundits interpret the performance of Hungarian athletes and the importance of sports in highly ideological and overly politicized terms. READ MORE
Hungary’s interests in Turkey
Saturday, August 27th, 2016Commenting on Hungarian official statements on Turkey, a left-wing columnist thinks that there is little leeway for Hungary to pursue its own strategic interests in the complex geopolitical situation of the Middle East. READ MORE
Debate over migration and quotas rolls on
Friday, August 26th, 2016Pro-government commentators accuse the Hungarian Left of irresponsibility for not taking the dangers of migration seriously. A left-wing pundit accuses the government of using the migration crisis to further polarize the public. A conservative columnist thinks both sides are sending out simplistic messages in order to boost their popularity. READ MORE
Ruminations on the state of democracy
Thursday, August 25th, 2016Two analysts ponder the dangers of elitism and anti-establishment populism. Despite their ideological differences, both agree that elitism threatens democracy. READ MORE
Zsolt Bayer awarded the Knight’s Cross
Tuesday, August 23rd, 2016The leading left-wing daily accuses the government of institutionalizing racist language by rewarding the controversial journalist Zsolt Bayer with one of Hungary’s highest state orders. A conservative columnist, on the other hand, ridicules a protest by a growing number of former nominees who have returned their awards. READ MORE
The prospects of V4 cooperation
Monday, August 15th, 2016A regional foreign policy expert wonders whether the Visegrád alliance can be expanded and developed into an even more important platform. READ MORE
The Left’s failure to promise welfare
Monday, August 15th, 2016A left-wing columnist lambasts the Left for ignoring or even ridiculing everyday voters’ need for economic security and stability. He warns that in the absence of meaningful left-wing proposals on welfare, people will turn to right-wing populist parties. READ MORE