A right-wing columnist welcomes the government bill submitted to Parliament on Friday, which would force banks to return a total of 1000 billion Forints to mortgage holders, on the grounds that the money was unfairly collected. He suggests that once the process is completed, all FX loans should be converted to Forint credits. READ MORE
A month ahead of the municipal elections, conservative columnists agree that the Left has little chance to avoid another defeat. Among the causes of the Left’s decline they mention that it has become ideologically hollow and lacks able leaders on various levels. READ MORE
Following NATO’s decision to set up rapid response force bases in Eastern Europe, left-wing commentators believe that the Orbán government will have to join the West and stand up to Russia.
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As former PM Bajnai is named Chief Operating Officer of the Paris based Meridiam investment firm, commentators on both the left and right agree that Bajnai is quitting politics. While a right-wing columnist considers this as good riddance for Hungary, a left-wing analyst blames Bajnai’s failure on Gyurcsány and Mesterházy. READ MORE
The leading left-wing daily accuses the government of tinkering with key economic indicators in order to suggest that the economy is growing rather than stagnating. A conservative analyst finds the Left guilty of claiming that the Hungarian economy is in bad shape, despite sizeable increases in most key indicators. READ MORE
A conservative commentator contends that former PM Gyurcsány’s proposal to unite the Left within a single party cannot be taken seriously. READ MORE
A Marxist philosopher believes that President Putin’s suggestion to federalize Ukraine could help solve the crisis, but it is unlikely that it will be accepted by Western powers. A right-wing columnist accuses the US of trying to plunder Russia. A conservative commentator calls for increased military spending. READ MORE
Analysts from both right and left agree that European leaders wanted to send strong symbolic messages through the appointment of Donald Tusk and Federica Mogherini to top EU jobs. A conservative columnist believes Polish PM Tusk’s appointment is good news for Hungary. His left-wing counterpart cautions the Left against harsh anti-Russian rhetoric. READ MORE
A left-wing commentator believes that a new cold war is breaking out between Russia and the West, and Hungary cannot continue a foreign policy which involves sleeping in both camps. A conservative analyst warns that a compromise between the great powers is becoming ever more unlikely as time passes. Another pro-government commentator calls for the lifting of EU sanctions against Russia. READ MORE
A conservative columnist points out that despite pessimistic projections, Hungarian GDP growth is the highest in the EU. A left-wing pundit shoots back that the government could not reduce the public debt. READ MORE