In a comment on Viktor Orbán’s weekend speech, in which the PM blamed Brussels for the mishandling of the economic crisis, pundits on both left and right warn of the perils of the revival of national sovereignty. READ MORE
A centrist blogger joins scores of left-wing commentators in condemning Viktor Orbán’s statement that power is indispensable to create national cohesion. Debates have also erupted around the decision taken by the Fidesz leadership to introduce preliminary voter registration. READ MORE
A left-wing commentator doubts whether anyone within Jobbik will learn anything from the story of their MEP who turned out to be of Jewish descent. A right-wing pundit finds the spectacle of MEP Csanád Szegedi trying to bribe the man who blackmailed him with the ethnicity of his ancestors, abhorrent. READ MORE
Commentators agree that in a dictatorship the charges levelled against former PM Ferenc Gyurcsány would not have been dropped. With just one exception: his long-term aide believes the real reason is PM Orbán’s weakening position. READ MORE
Far right and left wing observers seem to agree that the prosecutor has put a suspected war criminal under house arrest as a result of international pressure. The former contend that Mr Csatáry’s rights have been infringed, while the latter blame the authorities for not acting sooner. READ MORE
Magyar Nemzet hopes the IMF will not put forward unacceptable demands, while Népszabadság wants moderation to prevail on the government side. READ MORE
A Magyar Nemzet commentator dismisses as absurd the charges levelled by Senator Ben Cardin (Dem) against the Hungarian government. Népszabadság cautions the right wing against branding the senator an enemy of Hungary. READ MORE
Commentators across the political spectrum ponder possible parallels between the practices of the prime ministers of Hungary and Romania. Those on the left think that although Ponta follows a recipe devised by Orbán, the Romanian PM has not initiated a fully-fledged offensive against democratic institutions. Right-wing pundits, on the other hand, note that Orbán became PM in democratic elections and his government complies with democratic norms – neither of which applies to his Romanian counterpart. READ MORE
In a comment on the LMP’s protest action against what they consider the government’s clientelism and corruption, one left-wing commentator criticizes the party for what he considers an ineffective theatrical performance. The leading left-wing daily, on the other hand, contends that the LMP managed to make its point, while a pro-government columnist considers the protest unserious. READ MORE
Commentators agree that the IMF and the EU will make the credit line agreement with Hungary conditional on significant changes in the tax code. But while a left-wing columnist believes that the IMF’s demands would benefit the lower classes, a pro-government pundit contends that it would only be advantageous for multinational firms. READ MORE