Left-wing and liberal commentators accuse the government of planning brutal cuts as Minister of National Economy Varga announces plans to reduce the rate of government spending. A conservative blogger suggests that the rate can be reduced without major austerity measures, provided the economy keeps growing at its current rate. READ MORE
Index runs a lengthy fact-finding story to underpin the suspicion that Jobbik’s leading foreign affairs expert is a Russian secret service operative. He denies the charges and has threatened to sue the author and the news site. READ MORE
As Moscow accuses Hungary of arming Ukraine, a pro-government columnist calls for caution in foreign affairs. According to a conservative commentator and a moderate online news site, on the other hand, the false accusations show that Hungary’s attempt at maintaining a balanced approach in foreign affairs has been a failure.
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Commentators agree that RTL Klub, the leading commercial TV channel has launched a harsh anti-government reporting campaign in retaliation for the new advertisement tax. READ MORE
The leading left-wing daily contends that the government wants to punish the left- and liberal leaning capital city by redirecting structural development funds to its core constituencies in the countryside. The main pro-government daily is convinced that infrastructural projects will not grind to a halt in Budapest. READ MORE
Several Hungarian news portals protest against the dismissal of the editor-in-chief of Origo, and Népszabadság‘s editor believes that journalists are under serious and growing pressure. READ MORE
A left-wing columnist thinks the EP election turnout next weekend will be low, as the stakes are less than clear for most Hungarians. A liberal commentator agrees, adding that the only question is whether small left-wing forces can overcome the 5 per cent hurdle. An independent analyst thinks the Hungarian campaign has little to say about Europe, but if Eurosceptic parties pick up too many votes, the two largest European parliamentary groups will have to stick together. READ MORE
Commentators agree that the revelations of a former Socialist MP ,who served six years in prison for corruption, are extremely painful for the Left. Left-wing authors add however, that they believe the claims have been fabricated for propaganda purposes. READ MORE
Left-wing pundits maintain that the new alliance is the only possible hope to challenge PM Orbán, albeit a rather slender one. Pro-government columnists consider the deal as proof that the left lacks ideas. READ MORE
Népszabadság calls the project a capitulation to tax evasion and deplores a police search in the home of a tax fraud whistle-blower. Meanwhile, fact-finding journalists continue their quest to either prove or disprove the whistle-blower’s allegations. READ MORE