A conservative analyst thinks the weakening of the Forint may annul the favourable impact of the expected decision of the European Court of Justice to empower Hungarian courts to rewrite forex mortgage contracts. He urges serious confidence-building measures to bolster the national currency. READ MORE
In the increasingly polarized debate over the commemoration of the Holocaust and the Nazi occupation of Hungary, a left-wing and a liberal pundit call for a boycott of government sponsored events. A moderate conservative commentator, on the other hand, fears that the lack of compromise on the memorial will only serve anti-Semites and those interested in entrenching ideological cleavages. READ MORE
Commentators are less than convinced about the explanations offered by the MSZP about the undeclared assets of a leading Socialist. Left-wing pundits, however, are calling for similar investigations of right-wing politicians’ wealth as well as more transparent campaign regulations. READ MORE
The leading left-wing daily speculates that the Paks nuclear plant construction deal with Russia serves only the interests of Moscow and entrepreneurs allied to Fidesz. Pro-government pundits, on the other hand, consider the agreement beneficial for the country, and accuse left-wing politicians of having used the Paks nuclear plant in the past to finance their own party and private business. READ MORE
A left-wing commentator believes that the Hungarian government criticizes the US in order to strengthen its anti-Western image before the April elections. Right-wing columnists are displeased with Senator McCain’s comments on Hungarian affairs. READ MORE
“The war on utility costs” is featured in two parallel analyses of the upcoming election campaign. A left-leaning commentator notes that Fidesz chose the cut in utility prices as its main theme for the campaign and the now united opposition must convince the electorate that they offer more substantial safety and freedom. A commentator for a pro-government daily notes that negative statements on the utility cost issue will hardly provide enough fuel for the left-wing campaign. Deputy Prime Minister Tibor Navracsics, in his regular column, sums up the dilemma as finding a good policy that is also popular enough to win an election. READ MORE
A business analyst says critics have been too hasty to condemn the National Bank for not resorting to swift “verbal intervention” in response to the heavy losses the Forint has suffered over the past week. A pro-government columnist urges decision makers to consider joining the Eurozone, in order to shield Hungary from currency fluctuations. READ MORE
Wrangling over the proposed monument to mark the German occupation has taken a new, momentous turn, from a national quarrel to an international scandal, says an opposition daily, due to a statement by Randalph L. Braham. Pro-government commentators, on the other hand, dismiss the issue as fear-mongering and baseless accusations from the left. READ MORE
The date of the election itself has become a campaign topic, with left-wing commentators suspecting that the President’s decision was prompted by political convenience rather than neutral rationality. 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