A right-wing political analyst suggests that the unprecedented Western pressure on the Hungarian government is due to diverging but equally legitimate models of democracy. He warns that attacks against Hungary might lead to disillusionment with the European Union. READ MORE
Now that the European Commission has demanded a U-turn from Hungary in her legislative and political course, commentators ponder what the possible consequences are, who is at fault and what should be done. READ MORE
A leading right-wing commentator acknowledges that former PM Gordon Bajnai has published a remarkable analysis, but reminds him of his own role in plunging Hungary deep into debt. READ MORE
Népszabadság believes Hungary’s chief IMF negotiator will just have to sign the draft he will be shown in Washington, no matter what the conditions are. Magyar Nemzet contends however that the government should not just listen to what the IMF wants. READ MORE
Left and right wing commentators agree that the Hungarian government has no choice but to reach an agreement with the European Union and the International Monetary Fund. While Népszabadság and Népszava urge the cabinet to return to European norms, both Magyar Nemzet and Magyar Hírlap believe that there is no need to crawl on all fours to the lenders. READ MORE
The Forint stopped sinking on Thursday after a soothing statement by the Hungarian IMF negotiator. Prior to that statement, commentators from both right and left warned that the government should be more cooperative with the EU and the IMF in order to restore the confidence of international investors. READ MORE
A pro-government commentator is relieved by the fact that the government at the very last moment promised significant wage rises for doctors. The doctors had threatened to quit their jobs en masse on January 1. READ MORE
All commentators agree that 2012 will be even tougher than 2010. But they disagree on the reasons, and on the best policy to follow. READ MORE
Népszabadság thinks the government may put the badly needed IMF credit line at risk, rather than complying with Western demands. Magyar Nemzet, on the other hand, argues that the Hungarian economy would be in good shape had it not been for the IMF-loans taken out by the former Socialist government. READ MORE
Right wing Magyar Nemzet is sarcastic about letters from the Chairman of the European Commission and the US Secretary of State to the Hungarian PM, while left wing Népszabadság speculates about the lack of public criticism towards Hungary on the part of the German government. READ MORE