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Archive for the ‘Magyar Nemzet’ Category

Is Victor Ponta applying Viktor Orbán’s recipe?

Monday, July 16th, 2012

Commentators across the political spectrum ponder possible parallels between the practices of the prime ministers of Hungary and Romania. Those on the left think that although Ponta follows a recipe devised by Orbán, the Romanian PM has not initiated a fully-fledged offensive against democratic institutions. Right-wing pundits, on the other hand, note that Orbán became PM in democratic elections and his government complies with democratic norms – neither of which applies to his Romanian counterpart. READ MORE

LMP protesting against “oligarchs”

Friday, July 13th, 2012

In a comment on the LMP’s protest action against what they consider the government’s clientelism and corruption, one left-wing commentator criticizes the party for what he considers an ineffective theatrical performance. The leading left-wing daily, on the other hand, contends that the LMP managed to make its point, while a pro-government columnist considers the protest unserious. READ MORE

IMF and Brussels could demand painful policy changes

Thursday, July 12th, 2012

Commentators agree that the IMF and the EU will make the credit line agreement with Hungary conditional on significant changes in the tax code. But while a left-wing columnist believes that the IMF’s demands would benefit the lower classes, a pro-government pundit contends that it would only be advantageous for multinational firms. READ MORE

IMF resumes negotiations with Hungary

Monday, July 9th, 2012

Commentators in right wing dailies  welcome the news that the IMF has accepted the amended National Bank Act and will now resume negotiations. Left of centre dailies criticise the delays, the prevarications and fear that the government might at any time decide to turn back and play the ”Turkish card” again. READ MORE

Prime Minister asks US Congress to shut down anti-Semitic portal

Friday, July 6th, 2012

Commenting on an exchange of letters between US congressmen and Viktor Orbán on anti-Semitism in Hungary, a pro-government columnist says Fidesz is a victim of anti-Semitic attacks, and is fighting anti-Semitism. The commentator in the largest left wing daily , however, says that  if the government really wanted to block anti-Semitic content, it should turn to Internet Service Providers, instead of asking US congressmen to act. READ MORE

Orbán’s initiative to boost employment

Wednesday, July 4th, 2012

Commentators on the right, the left and in the centre all agree that the new 10-point “employment protection” programme is a step in the right direction, but the latter warn that costs are not covered by planned adjustments to the budget. READ MORE

More rigor in the Penal Code

Wednesday, June 27th, 2012

Commentators agree that the new criminal code is more punitive than the previous one, but opinions differ as to how useful the changes are. READ MORE

A new front-line between the EU and Hungary: home distilled pálinka

Monday, June 25th, 2012

A left-wing commentator welcomes the European Commission’s decision to require Hungary to tax farmers who distil brandy. A right-wing columnist find the demand ridiculous and accuses the EU of applying double standards, once again, towards Hungary. READ MORE

EU lifts Hungarian cohesion fund suspension

Monday, June 25th, 2012

The leading pro-government daily welcomes the decision by the ECOFIN to lift the suspension of 500 million Euros in aid to Hungary, and explains it as an open acknowledgement of the validity of the government’s economic policies. Left-wing commentators, on the other hand, believe that the Hungarian government has wasted two years and was forced by the EU to back-pedal on the counter-productive economic strategy it initially pursued. READ MORE

No reason to celebrate Greek election results

Wednesday, June 20th, 2012

Commentators on both the left and the right warn that the victory of Greek moderate parties in Sunday’s elections will not bring the economic and political crisis in the country to an end. They all agree that if Greece defaults, it will entail the end of the European Union. READ MORE