One liberal commentator claims that voting in this weekend’s European Parliament elections would be absolutely pointless. Other liberal and left-wing pundits, however, believe that European Socialists and Liberals could help to contain PM Orbán’s power. Conservative columnists, on the other hand, contend that neither further transnational integration, nor radical EU-scepticism are in-line with Hungary national interests. READ MORE
A conservative commentator condemns the verdict of the European Court of Human Rights as contrary to Hungarian public feeling. Her left-wing counterpart, on the other hand, wonders if courts will hereinafter sentence any criminal to life without eligibility for parole. READ MORE
A liberal columnist comments on a recent opinion survey about the Nazi Occupation Memorial in Budapest, and contends that without a proper debate on the controversial past, the erection of statues is simply a waste of money and a divisive act in Hungary.
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A pro-government columnist suggests that a healthy democracy would require a stronger and more credible left-wing opposition to counterbalance the excesses of the government. A left-wing columnist contends in a bitter article that the Socialists have done nothing to renew themselves after their huge defeat at the April election. READ MORE
As a Jobbik MEP stands accused of being a Russian spy, a left-wing philosopher accuses the government of using the state apparatus – including the secret service – to criminalize the opposition. A pro-government columnist dismisses the left-wing accusations. READ MORE
Commenting on the Prime Minister’s speech in Berlin and his meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel, a left-wing columnist believes that Mr Orbán’s vision is too conservative even for German Christian Democrats. Right-wing commentators, on the other hand, contend that the German government regards Hungary as an important and reliable economic and geopolitical ally. READ MORE
A centrist political analyst believes that the European Parliamentary election is important primarily for the opposition parties. READ MORE
Right and left-wing commentators agree that there should be zero tolerance for far-right radicalism. They accuse Jobbik of fomenting hatred, after far-right protesters physically attacked a prominent Hungarian politician from Vojvodina. READ MORE
As the new Parliament meets for the first time after the April election, commentators wonder if the years ahead might bring reconciliation between left and right. READ MORE
A conservative commentator criticizes Jobbik’s anti-EU rhetoric by pointing out that Hungary has received thousands of billion Forints in EU cohesion funds. A liberal pundit scorns left and far-right parties which demand western European wages for Hungarians. READ MORE