President sets date for municipal elections

Left-wing and liberal columnists accuse the government of rewriting the Budapest municipal election rules in order to secure their victory at the October election, and the Constitutional Court of assisting the government in what they consider as a limitation of basic rights. A conservative analyst contends that the new rules will make the governance of Budapest more effective. Another suggests that  accusations of malpractice against the government is a sure sign that the Left anticipates another defeat. READ MORE

Right-wing columnist on the U-turn of the Left

No referendum on the Paks nuclear deal

A liberal commentator criticizes the Constitutional Court for blocking a referendum on the extension of the nuclear power plant at Paks, referring to a constitutional ban on referenda over issues stipulated in international agreements. He believes previous rulings prove the court wrong. His conservative colleague approves the ruling but call for clearer legislation on referenda and public debt. READ MORE

Police conduct at Budapest Pride criticized

Conservative and liberal bloggers alike criticize the way the police secured the fringes of Saturday’s Budapest Pride march and their leniency towards radical counter-demonstrators. READ MORE

Foreign currency (FX) loans to be eliminated

As the government promises to convert FX loans into Forint credit by the end of the year, analysts wonder how the conversion could and should be carried out. READ MORE

Polish tapping leaks about Hungary

A conservative blogger thinks the real revelation in the Polish leaks is not a widely publicised obscene remark about Mr Orbán and Mr Putin, but what the CEO of the Polish Oil Corporation had to say about how his Hungarian counterpart is trying to circumvent his corruption trial underway in Croatia. READ MORE

Felcsút stadium under the microscope

The Prime Minister is mocked and criticised by left-liberal pundits for having a football stadium built in his native Felcsút. The project is also criticised by a moderate right-wing commentator. READ MORE

Fears and hopes for the next four years

Commentators wonder whether or not the next Orbán government will strike a more conciliatory tone, and seek compromises in the economy and in symbolic battles at home and on the European scene. READ MORE

A conservative about to vote for LMP

A conservative commentator thinks another two-thirds majority would be too much and advocates voting for LMP. READ MORE

Parliament to rewrite FX loan contracts

In their commentaries on the Constitutional Court’s verdict on forex loans, analysts from across the political spectrum agree that it is the government’s responsibility to help indebted families. It is, however, unclear how loans denominated in foreign currencies could be converted into Forint credits without severe economic consequences. READ MORE