A left-wing daily accuses the Mayor of Budapest of closing down a cultural club in order to silence anti-government protesters. A pro-government commentator believes that the Jewish cultural organization running the Sirály cultural club without paying rent used its resources to orchestrate anti-government protest. READ MORE
The authorities were at least one day late in reacting to the exceptional snowstorm and a left-wing commentator thinks the reason was that PM Viktor Orbán was busy fending off growing discontent with Hungary’s constitutional amendments among European allies. READ MORE
Népszabadság sees a communications trap in the Prime Minister’s decision to hold talks about utility tariff cuts on the day when Parliament had to vote on 22 amendments to the Basic Law. Magyar Nemzet argues that the domestic and international uproar is motivated by “something else”, rather than constitutional concerns. READ MORE
A pro-government columnist accuses opposition protesters of provocation and radicalism. A left-wing pundit, on the other hand, fears that the government is about to create a volunteer army of its supporters and steer the country to the brink of civil war. READ MORE
Left-wing columnists, echoing European and US concerns, accuse the government of violating basic democratic principles by incorporating in the Basic Law provisions which have been ruled unconstitutional. A right-wing commentator, on the other hand, believes that such worries are groundless and motivated by the opposition parties’ partisan views. READ MORE
Left-wing columnists welcome a court decision which opens up the possibility for Klubrádió to keep its frequency. They suspect, however, that the Media Authority will try once again to find a way to silence the opposition radio station. READ MORE
The leading left-wing daily calls on the mainstream moderate parties to work out strategic welfare plans to lift the Roma out of poverty, and by implication, take the wind out of the sails of the radical right-wing Jobbik. READ MORE
Newspapers are full of mostly cautious speculation about the fate of the National Bank under György Matolcsy who hasserved so far as Minister for National Economy. While some commentators see his appointment as a coup, others point out that the markets had taken the change for granted. READ MORE
Left-wing commentators agree that Milla had good reasons not to join Gordon Bajnai’s new party, but their decision is yet another sign of how difficult it is for centre-left organizations and splinter parties to join forces. READ MORE
Left-wing commentators accuse the Prime Minister of painting too rosy a picture of his government’s performance, while pro-government columnists contend that he was rather exact in his explanation of the reasons behind his choice of path. READ MORE