In its latest cautiously critical editorial, the formerly staunchly pro-government daily suggests the need for more transparency over the Russian-Hungarian deal on the enlargement of the Paks nuclear power station. READ MORE
Pundits both on Right and Left fear that trust in banks and financial markets will weaken as the National Bank suspends operation of the Buda-Cash brokerage house, and estimates that as much as 100 billion Forints may have been embezzled. READ MORE
The leading left-wing daily contends that Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov was murdered because of his critical views of the Kremlin, and blasts PM Orbán for considering Putin’s illiberal democracy a role model. Conservative columnists suspect that it was not in Putin’s interest to have Nemtsov assassinated, since his death will be used by the anti-Putin camp. READ MORE
Discussing the Prime Minister’s annual speech to his followers, commentators wonder if his exhortation to work and fight harder will be sufficient to reinvigorate the increasingly sluggish Fidesz electorate, which, despite the defeat of a pro-government candidate in last week’s by-election, is still incomparably stronger than its competitors.
The number one right-wing daily continues its campaign for change in the wake of the two main events of the past month – the open rift between its owner and the Prime Minister on the one hand and Fidesz’s defeat in the Veszprém by-election on the other. READ MORE
Commentators agree that the anti-government candidate won the vacant Veszprém seat in Parliament because he is seen as an outsider who does not belong to either the government or the opposition. Thus his victory is a harbinger of a new phase of the game where government candidates can be beaten but the opposition is not a credible challenger. READ MORE
Commentators agree in interpreting the outcome of the Veszprém by-election as a warning for the government and an encouragement to the opposition. READ MORE
After PM’s Orbán visit to Warsaw and his uneasy talks with the Polish Prime Minister over Russia and Ukraine, a conservative columnist accuses Poland of subservience to Washington. A left-wing commentator, on the other hand, believes that Mr Orbán has lost all credibility in Poland. READ MORE
Left-wing and liberal columnists accuse PM Orbán of assisting Russian President Putin in his geopolitical tricks. A pro-government pundit contends that Hungary, like Europe, needs to maintain good relations with Russia for pragmatic reasons. READ MORE
As Fidesz’ support declines and Jobbik’s base strengthens, pundits from across the political spectrum wonder if and how Fidesz should react to the emerging radical right-wing challenge. READ MORE