A conservative historian and a left-wing pundit agree that Hungarians and Central Europeans should be thankful to Mikhail Gorbachev, without whom a peaceful democratic transition and independence from the Soviet empire would not have been possible. READ MORE
As far-right MPs unveil a bust of Regent Miklós Horthy (in office 1920-44) in their Parliament offices, a left-wing columnist accuses Fidesz of ‘piggybacking’ on the Horthy cult. A conservative commentator, on the other hand, thinks that the Left’s tendentious interpretations of the Horthy era make reasonable debate impossible. READ MORE
A left-wing columnist discusses an analysis on the alleged overrepresentation of female students in higher education. He accuses the government of trying to force traditional gender roles on women. A government critical conservative pundit finds the accusation groundless. READ MORE
As the traditional 20 August festivities were held without the usual fireworks for the first time in 66 years (because of the danger of a storm, mistakenly forecast for that night), columnists depict diametrically opposing images of today’s Hungary. READ MORE
A left-wing commentator lambasts the opposition for giving up their idea of a local referendum on the government’s plan to build a Chinese university campus in Budapest. READ MORE
A left-wing commentator suggests that the opposition parties should try to boost their popularity by supporting all kinds of anti-government demonstrations. A conservative columnist, on the other hand, lambasts the opposition for their lack of vision. A strong democracy, she adds, demands a responsible opposition. READ MORE
A pro-government pundit ridicules explanations by liberal commentators of the one-week interruption of Russian oil deliveries, while a left-wing commentator laments Hungary’s dependence on Russian gas and oil supplies. READ MORE
While most parties reject the idea of a referendum on Hungary’s EU membership, a left-wing commentator deems it useful. READ MORE
A left-wing and a pro-government pundit comment on a survey by a left-wing pollster company which suggests a rapid decline in Fidesz support. READ MORE