The ruling of the Supreme Court of the United States defining same sex marriage as a constitutional right splits Hungarian public life across the left liberal versus conservative divide line. The leftist argument is that the law must not stand in the way of love, while conservatives fear that same-sex marriage will further aggravate demographic decline in developed countries. READ MORE
The press and the internet are awash with highly diverging opinions about the government’s plan to build a fence along the border with Serbia, in order to curb the continuing wave of migration directed from the Balkans towards Hungary and ultimately to the West. Opinions vary from approving the project to branding it as a cynical propaganda move. READ MORE
Pundits across the political spectrum discuss a proposal by Fidesz to tighten Schengen border controls and return illegal migrants coming to Hungary from a safe third country. READ MORE
Right-wing columnists fulminate against the appeal court which annulled the prison sentence handed down to former Communist Party chieftain Béla Biszku for his role in the post-revolution reprisals in 1956. An expert says while the ruling was well founded legally it signals a defeat for the Judiciary. A left-wing commentator suggests that Biszku is despised in Hungary – even without a sentence. READ MORE
The Prime Minister proposed a discussion on the death penalty and has got his way: the internet is bursting with comments on the issue. Most object to the idea of re-opening the debate, but some back the Prime Minister’s initiative. READ MORE
Gábor Bencsik, the younger of the Bencsik brothers, defends András Bencsik’s statement that a pro-government ’Peace March’ could not be organised nowadays, because people are disappointed with the Fidesz government. He calls on the government to listen to friendly criticism. READ MORE
As Jobbik leader Gábor Vona promises to prune out racist elements from his party, columnists wonder if Jobbik can be transformed into a moderate party without losing the support of its radical core. READ MORE
A liberal commentator believes that Fidesz is about to launch a major campaign against Jobbik. A pro-government columnist fears that Jobbik is a real threat to the country, while another liberal pundit contends that Jobbik is a joke rather than a credible alternative to the current centre-right government. READ MORE
Commentators are predominantly sceptical about the allegation that PM Orbán was recruited by the communist secret services during his military service in 1982. 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.