Left-wing commentators fear that the rules of non-resident external voting will encourage fraud. They explore several scenarios of vote rigging and accuse the government of consciously leaving such loopholes in the legislation. READ MORE
Commentators across the political spectrum ponder the possible impact of the IMF loan repayment and the conversion of foreign currency-based mortgages into Forint credit. READ MORE
A left-wing commentator thinks it is unreasonable to replace a cheap loan with more expensive ones, therefore the government’s decision must be based on political calculations. A business news site suggests that getting rid of the IMF may prove politically profitable for the governing right wing. READ MORE
Left-wing and liberal commentators fulminate about the exemption of tobacco shops from the municipal ban on the sale of alcohol after 10 pm. A critical conservative blogger warns against overregulation. A pro-government columnist likens the Democratic Coalition’s initiative to paint the pavement in front of tobacco shops to Nazi practices. READ MORE
Left-wing and liberal columnists believe that the mostly peaceful Budapest Pride 2013 walk proved a major success or even a breakthrough for gay rights activists. They find it disappointing, however, that the police showed little zeal to pursue radical protesters who beat up three marchers. READ MORE
Liberal and left leaning commentators find PM Orbán’s indignation over the EP resolution unfounded and hypocritical, while a Christian Democrat portal suggests the European Right dislikes Mr Orbán because he reminds them of their own cowardice. A pro-government daily finds it ridiculous that a former minister of a Socialist government now poses as a Conservative MEP. READ MORE
A pro-government columnist maintains that the Tavares-report was accepted by a narrow margin, and suggests PM Orbán’s speech before the vote may have convinced many MEPs to abstain, rather than vote in favour. A former Hungarian centre-right MP writes in an opposition daily that Orbán is unfit to lead because he tolerates no compromise. READ MORE
Left-wing columnists fear further austerity measures. A pro-government pundit notes that although the excessive deficit procedure has been lifted, the government should not expect an end to criticism from the EU. A conservative commentator, on the other hand, hopes that Fidesz will call a truce with the EU. READ MORE
Commenting on the noisy occupation of the Speaker’s rostrum staged by right-wing radical MPs in Parliament, a pro-government columnist compares Jobbik to the Jacobins who plunged Paris into a spiral of terror during their rule. A centrist analyst predicts a series of similar spectacular acts as the elections get closer. READ MORE
Left-wing pundits contend that the government is trying to downplay external criticism by labeling its adversaries as biased left-wing partisans. They also hint that as a result of the looming elections in the EU and Hungary, the debates between the country and the EU institutions will probably intensify. READ MORE