As Hungary celebrates the anniversary of the 1848 revolution, commentators both on Right and Left call for national unity and accuse each other of further polarizing the nation. READ MORE
Conservative commentators agree with the government’s plan to send 100 soldiers to Iraq’s Kurdish region to serve as guards in two international bases and escort convoys along the road between the two. READ MORE
Commentators are predominantly sceptical about the allegation that PM Orbán was recruited by the communist secret services during his military service in 1982. READ MORE
Commentators on both Right and Left call on the government to reconsider the surplus taxes on banks as the state buys an interest in retails banks and the economy grows at a 3.5 per cent rate. READ MORE
The leading left-wing daily contends that Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov was murdered because of his critical views of the Kremlin, and blasts PM Orbán for considering Putin’s illiberal democracy a role model. Conservative columnists suspect that it was not in Putin’s interest to have Nemtsov assassinated, since his death will be used by the anti-Putin camp. READ MORE
Discussing the Prime Minister’s annual speech to his followers, commentators wonder if his exhortation to work and fight harder will be sufficient to reinvigorate the increasingly sluggish Fidesz electorate, which, despite the defeat of a pro-government candidate in last week’s by-election, is still incomparably stronger than its competitors.
A pro-government commentator accuses the left-wing opposition of serving foreign interests by criticising the government’s efforts to enhance relations with Turkey. Hungary has to promote cooperation with East and West alike, he suggests. READ MORE
Commenting on the government’s foreign affairs strategy, most left-wing and liberal commentators accuse PM Orbán of selling out to Moscow. Right-wing pundits, on the other hand, defend what they see as the government’s pragmatic and balanced foreign affairs vision. Some moderate analysts castigate mindless exaggerations and ideologically motivated approaches on both sides. READ MORE
In welcoming Vladimir Putin’s visit to Hungary on Tuesday a pro-government columnist praises the Russian President for what he considers the restoration of Russia’s greatness. The leading left-wing daily contends that in the current geopolitical situation, Hungary should not try to strengthen ties with Russia. READ MORE
After the publication of 2014 growth data which exceeds even the most optimistic estimates, the leading left-wing daily suggests that the government should spend more on welfare. A conservative columnist believes that fast economic growth can be sustained. READ MORE