Commentators across the political spectrum pay their tributes to former President Árpád Göncz who died at the age of 93 in Budapest on Tuesday. As political leaders expressed their appreciation of his career, regardless of their affiliations, analysts underline his role as an outstanding actor of the democratic transition. READ MORE
An agreement with Germany and Austria has allowed Hungary to transfer asylum seekers to the Austrian border. Weeklies and dailies ponder the implications of the crisis and the prospect of its resolution. READ MORE
Weeklies and dailies ponder the moral and practical implications of the government’s migration policies and the Left’s stance. In the increasingly desperate ideological battle, both sides deploy heavy moral artillery. READ MORE
A radical conservative pundit calls on the government to refocus its ‘freedom fight’. Instead of fighting for increased national sovereignty and symbolic aims, he recommends strengthening international cooperation in order to fight what he calls ‘neoliberal exploitation’.
A left-wing commentator fears that Europe’s security cannot be maintained without stronger transatlantic cooperation. A liberal columnist urges the setting up of a separate EU military force rather than relying on NATO. READ MORE
Liberal commentators accuse Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of co-opting the rhetoric of the radical nationalist Jobbik party, by calling for the death penalty to be ‘kept on the agenda’. A pro-party government lawyer believes that the government cannot simply ignore the ‘majority view’ which he believes would support its reintroduction. READ MORE
Ever since party leader Gábor Vona set out to re-brand Jobbik as a relatively moderate party refraining from racism – a process which began at the end of 2013 and has recently accelerated – commentators have pondered whether or not the change is genuine or just a face lift. And most importantly, whether Jobbik has a real chance of winning the next parliamentary elections in three years’ time. READ MORE
Conservative commentators deplore a political statement read out by an actor of Vienna’a Burgtheater in Budapest after a performance of Chekhov’s Seagull at the annual international festival in Hungary’s National Theatre. Left-wing analysts are divided. READ MORE
A left-wing commentator dismisses the interpretation that Jobbik’s success in Tapolca was an indication of the radicalisation of Hungarian voters. In unison with other left-wing and conservative columnists, he also calls on the Left to abandon liberal ideology for a social democratic vision in order to challenge Jobbik.
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Commenting on a European survey according to which Hungarians are among the unhappiest nations on the continent, a former liberal politician argues for fair political discourse and dialogue across the political frontlines. READ MORE