PM Orbán defiant towards the EU
Wednesday, April 17th, 2013A centrist blogger believes that the PM does not mind criticism from European leaders, but is unlikely to risk punitive sanctions from the European Union. READ MORE
A centrist blogger believes that the PM does not mind criticism from European leaders, but is unlikely to risk punitive sanctions from the European Union. READ MORE
An independent conservative blogger believes the proliferation of political parties in Hungary is due to the narcissism of Hungarian political leaders, rather than to any significant political differences. READ MORE
A centrist blog argues that the award granted to an openly racist journalist reveals the problems with the highly centralised government Prime Minister Orbán has created, as Zoltan Balog, the Minister for Human Resources has to supervise too many areas. READ MORE
Newspapers are full of mostly cautious speculation about the fate of the National Bank under György Matolcsy who hasserved so far as Minister for National Economy. While some commentators see his appointment as a coup, others point out that the markets had taken the change for granted. READ MORE
A centrist analyst asks whether Viktor Orbán has realized that closer economic ties with Putin might in fact further Russia’s political interests in the region. READ MORE
Left-wing and liberal commentators ponder the chances of Together 2014 after its failure to unite the opposition parties. Will it eventually split? And does Gordon Bajnai still stand any chance of becoming Orbán’s challenger at the next election? READ MORE
A centrist commentator lists the failings of the opposition. READ MORE
A conservative liberal blogger looking back on the past year contends that despite efforts aimed at a wholesale reform, the government has failed to discontinue some unfortunate practices. READ MORE
Left of centre columnists discuss the allocation of university scholarships for 2013, and accuse Fidesz of breaching its promise not to introduce tuition fees. READ MORE
The leading pro-government daily welcomes the failure of the EU summit as a sign of democracy and good news for Hungary, while its left-wing counterpart accuses PM Orbán of selfishness. An influential economist says that although the EU’s growth forecasts are biased against Hungary, the government has to make efforts to convince Brussels anyway. An independent centrist outlet suspects that once the EU lifts the excessive deficit procedure the government will be free to start spreading money around immediately before the 2014 elections. READ MORE