Two days after four prominent members left the LMP to join an opposition alliance, their decision still catches the headlines. Columnists disagree, however, on whether the LMP story will have an impact on future political developments. READ MORE
Left-wing commentators believe those who have left LMP to join a left-wing alliance will have a future, while the remaining majority is doomed, at least morally. A right-wing columnist hopes LMP can survive and offer an option to centrist voters. READ MORE
Commenting on the preliminary agreements between the Ministry of Human Resources and protesting teachers’ trade unions and student organisations, Népszabadság believes the government has managed to divide the protest movements which forced it to retreat before the Christmas holidays. READ MORE
While right-leaning columnists ridicule the Socialists for their new-found enthusiasm for Hungarian minorities abroad, journalists on the left suggest that Fidesz may have lost hope of gaining all minority Hungarian votes. A Hungarian analyst in Romania warns Hungary’s political élite against patronising attitudes. READ MORE
As the Forint weakens against the Euro, pundits wonder why international speculators are selling the Hungarian currency, and whether its slump is the result of the uncertainty related to the imminent choice of a new National Bank president, and of a possible quantitative easing program. READ MORE
Commentators from the left and the right blame each other for polarizing and politicizing issues related to the Roma. They both believe that their opponents use the Roma for opportunistic political reasons. READ MORE
A left-wing commentator suggests that the energy price cuts will further slow down the Hungarian economy. Pro-government columnists, on the other hand, find it bizarre that the left opposes the price cuts after criticizing the government for restrictions and austerity. READ MORE
A left-wing columnist believes Hungary should not appeal against FIFA’s decision to play its next World Cup qualifier behind closed doors as a consequence of an anti-Semitic incident during the Hungary-Israel match in August last year. His right–wing colleague suggests the ruling was unjust and may stir up anti-Semitism. READ MORE
Pro-government columnists suggest that the government has backed down elegantly, disproving the charges of arrogance and authoritarianism often levelled against it, while according to centrist and left-leaning analysts, the government tested the water of public feeling and realized it had too much to lose on the registration issue. READ MORE
A left-wing commentator warns that without patience and readiness to cooperate with parties who have not joined the negotiations, efforts at cooperation may lead to failure or a two-tier party system at best. READ MORE