Budapost

Government and Opposition trade accusations of anti-Semitism

February 25th, 2019

Left-wing and liberal commentators claim that the government’s philosemitic and pro-Israel messages are just window-dressing. A pro-government columnist finds it outrageous that the Left is willing to cooperate with the Jobbik party. A centrist pundit thinks that it is good news that all mainstream parties try to disavow anti-Semitism. READ MORE

Tags: anti-Semitism, Fidesz, Jobbik, Left, MSZP, racism, Soros

Hungarian government offers refuge to Venezuelan Hungarians

February 23rd, 2019

A pro-government columnist welcomes the government’s decision to admit more than 300 Venezuelan individuals with Hungarian ancestry. A left-wing commentator agrees with the decision, but finds it peculiar that humanitarian help should be conditional on ethnic kinship. READ MORE

Tags: citizenship, diaspora, refugees

Dispute over Hungarian Academy of Sciences rolls on

February 22nd, 2019

Two scientists at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences offer diametrically opposing takes on the government’s plan to restructure public research institutions. They both accuse their opponents of political motivations and ideological bias. READ MORE

Tags: Academy

Fears over 2020 EU funding cuts

February 21st, 2019

The leading online economic daily comments on the draft EU budget plans, and suspects that the EU will use carrots to lure Hungary into the Eurozone. A pro-government commentator thinks that the core EU states do not respect the sovereignty of other members at all. READ MORE

Tags: EU, EU funds, France, Germany

Hungary beefs up its defence capability

February 20th, 2019

A pro-government analyst thinks that Europe is unlikely to set up its own independent defence force any time soon, which make it reasonable for Hungary to upgrade its own army. READ MORE

Tags: arms deals, France, Germany, military, NATO, US

Standard & Poor’s upgrades Hungary

February 19th, 2019

A pro-government commentator interprets Hungary’s upgrade as acknowledgement of the government’s good performance. His left-wing counterpart downplays the importance of the credit rating. READ MORE

Tags: credit-rating, debt, economy, GDP

Left-Jobbik alliance under fire

February 18th, 2019

As PM Orbán and the President of the World Jewish Congress express mutual dismay over the prospect of an electoral alliance between the left-liberal side and Jobbik, commentators reassess the chances of that co-operation. READ MORE

Tags: Jobbik, Left, Orbán

Record GDP growth in 2018

February 16th, 2019

Commenting on the official announcement which puts the growth of Hungary’s Gross Domestic Product at 4.8 per cent last year, commentators predict a moderate slowdown, while recognising that the growth figures eventually surpassed even the optimistic forecasts. READ MORE

Tags: GDP, National Bank

Conflicting assessments of the PM’s ’baby boom plan’

February 15th, 2019

Left-wing analysts suggest the Prime Minister’s 7 point ’family protection plan’ is aimed at taking back the political initiative, while a pro-government pundit thinks it opens a new paradigm – and not just in Hungary. READ MORE

Tags: family, globalisation, migration, Orbán

Hopes for a compromise on science reform

February 14th, 2019

As the government endorses a compromise proposed by a group of conservative professors to bridge the controversy over the planned reform of research, opinions continue to clash over the planned changes. READ MORE

Tags: Academy, MTA, Palkovics, research