Commentators unanimously find the protracted tug-of-war between the government and the European Union on constitutional and financial issues harmful, but opinions diverge widely on the causes and the possible solutions. READ MORE
The number one left-wing daily believes the Prime Minister is overstating the importance of the positive first quarter GDP data. For the first time in three years, slight growth has been reported on a quarter on quarter basis. READ MORE
Left-wing, liberal and centrist commentators wonder whether Fidesz will try to cover up a scheme in which their local politicians could influence the distribution of tobacco shop licenses according to the political leanings of those who applied. READ MORE
After a group of Gypsies attacking far-right anti-Roma protesters were found guilty of hate-crime, the leading left liberal daily accuses the Hungarian courts of discriminating against the Roma. READ MORE
A left-wing columnist finds PM Orbán’s speech at the World Jewish Congress too timid. He believes while the PM condemns anti-Semitism, at the same time he is trying to secure the support of far-right voters by reviving the cult of the anti-Semitic interwar era. READ MORE
A liberal columnist believes that PM Orbán’s disrespect for the rule of law is a greater threat to Hungary than racist protesters. A pro-government commentator, on the other hand, contends that whatever it does, the Orbán government will either be labeled as anti-democratic, or as racist. READ MORE
Commentators from left to right believe that the EU is unlikely to lift the excessive deficit procedure imposed on Hungary, and agree that its motives are political. A pro-government commentator says there are foreign interests behind the pessimistic EU forecast, while both a left-wing editorial and a business columnist interpret the move as a warning to Hungary. READ MORE
An opposition paper reacts with cautious optimism to the MSZP-Together 2014 negotiations, while a pro-government daily finds efforts to patch together an alliance unconvincing. READ MORE
A pro-government commentator welcomes the government’s decision to buy the Pécs municipal water provider company. The leading left-wing liberal daily, on the other hand, finds it unacceptable that taxpayers have to pay for lower energy prices through the renationalization of the utility sector. READ MORE
Left-wing and liberal commentators accuse the government of nepotism over changes to the law on selling tobacco products. They believe that the government imposed a monopoly on the selling of cigarettes in order to offer lucrative business possibilities to its own people. READ MORE