A liberal columnist welcomes the government’s decision to buy mobile phones for prison inmates, and calls for more spending on detainees. A conservative pundit, on the other hand, thinks that the money should have been spent on improving education possibilities for inmates. READ MORE
As the employment rate increases to a 23 year high, pro-government and conservative columnists think that the Orbán government is on target to achieve its main employment objectives. A left-wing columnist, however, believes the employment picture is less rosy than the government claims. READ MORE
Commentators find PM Orbán’s speech focusing on illegal migration at Fidesz’s annual summer university more moderate and cautious than his addresses in previous years. READ MORE
In the leading conservative daily, a commentator accuses the government of surrendering its principles in pursuit of power. A columnist in a rival conservative paper dismisses this accusation and claims that Fidesz is acting in accordance with a conservative and democratic vision. READ MORE
A conservative columnist thinks that Hungary has no choice but to raise the retirement age, otherwise the pension system will become insolvent. READ MORE
The right of sexual minorities are recognised on all sides, except right-wing extremists, but commentators disagree on whether the annual LGBT march through Budapest serves tolerance and understanding. READ MORE
An independent conservative pundit remarks that the West is suggesting the very same therapy to Greece it severely criticised when it was applied by Hungary. He thinks advertisements should be heavily taxed and TV ad time severely cut back, but not just in order to reduce public deficits.
A pro-Greek economist believes Hungary’s debt burden is incomparably lighter than Greece’s, but it is unclear at the moment to what extent the markets will appreciate that difference. READ MORE
Commenting on a recent report by Freedom House, a left-wing columnist speculates that Hungary will soon become ‘an island of unfreedom’ in Europe. A conservative pundit thinks that the Freedom House assessment is marked by political bias.
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With the Hungarian government embroiled in an international controversy over migration, commentators both on Left and Right point to the lack of a common and fair EU policy. READ MORE