A conservative commentator accuses the European Parliament of becoming the ‘puppet’ of George Soros, after the assembly called for the recognition of same sex marriage throughout the Union. READ MORE
The weeklies went to print well before the end of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress, which wound up in Budapest on Sunday. Opposition-leaning commentators accuse the government of using religion for political purposes, and contrast it with Pope Francis, whom they describe as an authentic believer. A pro-government analyst believes their criticism is disingenuous. READ MORE
A conservative columnist thinks that English commentators accusing Hungarian fans of widespread racism use double standards. A moderate columnist finds it sad that Hungary is being judged after the behaviour of a couple of hundred racist fans. READ MORE
A prominent government strategist believes the US failed to follow the pattern of democracy export used in Japan and Germany in the wake of the Second World War. As a result, the Americans failed to win over either the hearts or the minds of the people of Afghanistan. READ MORE
Opposition-leaning commentators believe the parade held on the national holiday was tasteless, while a pro-government analyst thinks that August 20 should be a rare occasion to express national unity. READ MORE
A pro-government analyst thinks that it would be timely to assess the potential benefits of ‘Huxit’. Conservative and liberal commentators disagree and see EU membership as Hungary’s number one strategic interest. READ MORE
Left-wing weeklies sharply dismiss the government initiative to hold a referendum on the sexual education of children as a pointless act of propaganda. A right-wing commentator only agrees with them on one point – namely that the plan should be read in the context of mutual efforts to mobilise supporters ahead of next year’s parliamentary election. READ MORE
Opposition news sites complain about the small number of demonstrators who joined the opposition march in Budapest on Monday. A pro-government analyst takes it as proof that the spyware scandal is a hoax. READ MORE
As the government stands accused of using spyware to monitor critical journalists and other individuals, a left-wing pundit likens PM Orbán to the dictators of the East. Pro-government commentators are skeptical that the government illegally tapped its critics. READ MORE
The weeklies are sharply divided on the issues which pit the Hungarian government against the European Commission, but all consider these controversies serious and lasting. READ MORE