Some commentators attribute the government’s success in one election after another to the weakness of the opposition, while others find the explanation in its endeavour to continue a long-standing trend in Hungarian political history. READ MORE
Commentators ponder the significance of President Novák’s visit to Kyiv and wonder aloud what the right approach to the war in Ukraine might be. Another topic analysts dissect is whether the opposition can (ever) put up a meaningful challenge to the government. READ MORE
Opposition-leaning columnists vituperate against the government for only inviting a collection of ‘undemocratic’ leaders to celebrate Saint Stephen’s day and watch the World Athletics Championship underway all week in Budapest. Pro-government weeklies regard both the national day and the World Athletics Championship as resounding successes for the country. READ MORE
Left-wing and liberal authors describe what they call the Orbán regime as an outlier in the European Union, while their pro-government counterparts see it as upholding the values of freedom and national sovereignty in a sometimes-hostile environment. READ MORE
Although the new restrictions on visa-free travel imposed by the United States on Hungarian citizens will not create problems for most visitors, the weeklies see them as a serious development, a litmus test of the deterioration of Hungary’s ties with its main ally. READ MORE
Left-wing and liberal authors lambast Prime Minister Orbán for what they see as provocative remarks on Hungary’s neighbours. Pro-government commentators find remarkable points in his address. READ MORE
Opposition-leaning commentators find cracks within the government camp on the correct approach to Ukraine, while pro-government columnists believe that continuing the war is futile for both sides. READ MORE
Opposition-leaning commentators find the record of the government extremely negative and lament the absence of a credible challenger. Right-wing columnists find serious deficiencies in the parties representing the western mainstream and their allies in Hungary. READ MORE
A liberal analyst attributes the week-long rioting throughout France to institutional racism, while a right-wing commentator asks how masses of second and third-generation immigrants can be fully integrated.
Commentators disagree sharply on the reasons behind the resignation of Justice Minister Judit Varga and her new role as lead Fidesz candidate for the European Parliament elections in 2024.
Analysts agree that the abortive attempt by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin to march on Moscow revealed weaknesses within the Putin regime. One pro-government commentator accuses the opposition of rooting for the head of the Wagner group. READ MORE