A pro-government weekly finds the criticism directed at the new school reforms hasty and harsh, while another commentator acknowledges teachers’ need for higher salaries but says liberal critics misrepresent the reforms and foster hysteria. READ MORE
A pro-Gyurcsány commentator accuses opposition forces of excluding his party from the alliance, while a pro-government daily claims Gordon Bajnai’s plan is to embrace Gyurcsány once he becomes prime minister. READ MORE
Left-wing commentators hope the agreement will put an end to destructive rivalry within the Left; liberal pundits are sceptical; professional analysts think Bajnai must now prove his ability to attract undecided voters if he wants the alliance to have a chance, while pro-government columnists are divided on whether or not the government can now lean back and consider next year’s election a mere formality. READ MORE
A conservative columnist believes that left-leaning Hungarians are becoming paranoid as a result of the left-wing media’s efforts to spread fear by constantly accusing the government of dictatorial politics. READ MORE
Commentators across the political spectrum use St Stephen’s Day to put current political developments and debates into an historical perspective. Right-wing pundits praise the government for reinstating St. Stephen’s heritage, while a left-wing columnist accuses it of completely ignoring its critics. READ MORE
A left-wing commentator thinks the freeze is due to the semi-paralysis of the decision-makers, and predicts therefore that despite State Secretary János Lázár’s vow to overhaul the system of distribution of EU funds, inefficiency and incompetence will continue to rule. A pro-government analyst says Hungary is out of the recession with a meagre GDP growth for the second quarter in a row, but U funds are vital, as more investment – and jobs – will be needed for the people to benefit. READ MORE
Both national left-wing dailies compare PM Orbán’s plans to revive Hungarian football to Goulash-communism, the Hungarian version of Soviet-style socialism. The two pro-government newspapers celebrate the victories achieved by Hungary at the swimming world championship in Barcelona. READ MORE
Commentators across the political spectrum ponder the possible impact of the IMF loan repayment and the conversion of foreign currency-based mortgages into Forint credit. READ MORE
Both left and right-wing commentators missed Romanian politicians at this year’s Fidesz summer university at Tusnádfürdő. A left-wing columnist, however, accuses PM Orbán of trans-border vote hunting while his pro-government counterparts believe that the electoral impact of the Hungarian diaspora will be miniscule. READ MORE
Liberal and left leaning commentators find PM Orbán’s indignation over the EP resolution unfounded and hypocritical, while a Christian Democrat portal suggests the European Right dislikes Mr Orbán because he reminds them of their own cowardice. A pro-government daily finds it ridiculous that a former minister of a Socialist government now poses as a Conservative MEP. READ MORE