Commentators are sharply divided in their assessments of the clash between Hungary’s Prime Minister and his critics in the European Parliament. They agree however that what happened has opened a new chapter in the relations between Hungary and the European Union. READ MORE
Liberal pundits lambast PM Orbán for suggesting that the Hungarian national community has Turkic roots. A pro-government columnist, on the other hand, welcomes that the fact that the PM acknowledges Hungary’s Eastern kinship and belonging. READ MORE
A liberal EU expert contends that PM Orbán has become a major player on the European level and doesn’t have to fear European fund cuts. Another liberal columnist calls on the government to strengthen strategic cooperation with other member states in the dispute over the proposed EU budget. READ MORE
Commentators across the political spectrum agree that the sweeping victory of the government side was due in the first place to the weaknesses of the opposition, although left-liberal analysts also contend that the governing forces enjoyed unfair advantages during the campaign. READ MORE
Two weeks after the general election, commentators on both sides of the main political divide try to figure out whether the opposition parties will ever become a match for Fidesz or whether a new one can replace them. READ MORE
In their first issues after last Sunday’s election, the five nationwide opposition weeklies paint a desolate picture of Hungary’s future, while the two pro-government ones find that the crushing victory achieved by the government gives it unprecedented legitimacy. READ MORE
With just two weeks to go till the Parliamentary election, weeklies and the dailies’ weekend editions discuss corruption scandals and ponder what comes after 8 April. READ MORE
Analysts tend to believe that thanks to the impact of the Hódmezővásárhely mayoral election, opposition parties will probably find a way to field a single candidate in most individual constituencies. This would enable them to mount a serious challenge to Fidesz. READ MORE
Left-wing, liberal and conservative critics of the government suggest that the government wants to silence independent and critical media by establishing a new media chamber with specific rules. READ MORE
Commentators agree that the chances of the left are meagre, as its rather weak and scattered forces seem unable to coalesce, although over half the parliamentary seats (106 of 199) can be won in individual constituencies in a ‘first past the post’ system. READ MORE