The most important left and right wing dailies identify the message of the Norwegian decision as a clear warning that the values of a United Europe should be preserved. READ MORE
Following the Hungarian Prime Minister’s talks with Angela Merkel, a pro-government daily warns against harsh condemnation of Germany in the right-wing media, as Berlin is an ally and “closer than we think.” In a short editorial Népszabadság suggests that in order to measure the results of Orbán’s visit we will have to count Hungary’s share of the EU’s cohesion and structural funds. READ MORE
Columnists wonder whether or not the government’s announcement that it will restructure the 2013 budget in order to save 397 billion Forints means that it has abandoned its previous economic strategy . Left-wing and liberal analysts believe that the government has thereby admitted the failure of its previous earlier policies. A pro-government pundit suggests that it is too early to reach a verdict on the government’s efforts. READ MORE
A left-wing columnist accuses House Speaker and leading Fidesz politician László Kövér of advocating anti-abortion ideas. A pro-government commentator rejects this interpretation of Köver”s words, and suggests that the speaker actually wanted to highlight the demographic consequences of the declining birth rate. READ MORE
In an unusually swift procedure, Parliament banned slot machines with immediate effect, except for those in casinos. Commentators both on the right and the left agree that it was the right decision, although the price is high: the loss of tens of billions in gambling revenues and tens of thousands of jobs. READ MORE
Népszabadság criticizes Prime Minister Orbán for unveiling and praising a Turul-sculpture, which the daily considers a nationalistic symbol. According to a pro-government commentator, that criticism shows that the left cannot tolerate feelings of national belonging. READ MORE
A pro-government commentator marks the foundation of the Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) 25 years ago, and suggests that throughout that period the centre-right parties have been united by their common anti-Communist stance. A liberal pundit, on the other hand, claims that the liberals were the first to openly criticise Communists and demand democracy. READ MORE
Right-wing commentators are appalled by the statement of a judge who convicted but at the same time praised a protester for damaging a statue recently erected to Hungary’s interwar ruler. Left-wing analysts welcome the judge’s position and disagree with the Vice President of the Supreme Court, who scolded his colleague for expressing a personal opinion when issuing his verdict. READ MORE
Analysts doubt that the opposition to the left of Fidesz can run in a united block at the parliamentary elections in 2014, although under the new electoral system separate forces will only have a very feeble chance of gaining a parliamentary majority. READ MORE
Left- and right-wing commentators draw diametrically opposed conclusions from the news that public subsidy for CSA Czech public airlines has been approved by the European Commission. READ MORE