2016: A bitter year for the Left

In their end of the year opinion pieces, left-wing columnists paint a sad picture of the state of the world and Hungary within it.

Terrorism in Europe – a clash of civilizations?

Conservative papers interpret the recent terror attacks as harbingers of a clash of civilizations in Europe. Left-wing commentators, on the other hand, fear that the civilizational war rhetoric is used by authoritarian governments to justify their methods.

The balance sheet of the migration dispute

Commentators ponder whether the dispute over migration will strengthen or weaken the governing party, and if the opposition can capitalize on the indignation stirred up by the government’s anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Opposition electoral pact under scrutiny

Left-wing commentators hope the agreement will put an end to destructive rivalry within the Left; liberal pundits are sceptical; professional analysts think Bajnai must now prove his ability to attract undecided voters if he wants the alliance to have a chance, while pro-government columnists are divided on whether or not ...

Orbán and Bajnai – two cases of political leadership

A centrist commentator notes that PM Orbán is surprisingly unaware of how awful the lavish support his government has provided to Felcsút – his hometown – looks to most citizens, while a left-wing analyst says Bajnai’s problem is his lack of political awareness.

MSZP-Together 2014 negotiations

On the eve of a new round of left wing opposition talks, a left-wing analyst argues that the two major competing leaders should find a quick compromise. A libertarian commentator describes Mesterházy and Bajnai as locked in a power-struggle, predicting that Bajnai"s best offer, to have joint candidates in individual ...

New liberal party meets friendly fire

Left-wing commentators deplore the decision of former SZDSZ President Gábor Fodor to found a new liberal party - in addition to a series of post-SZDSZ groupings.

All sides condemn Jobbik MP’s anti-Semitic speech: a day of rare party political unity against racism

Commentators unanimously condemn a speech by Jobbik MP Márton Gyöngyösi, who proposed a "survey of MPs and cabinet members of Jewish descent  who represent a risk to national security".

Socialists in the way of left-wing cooperation

A pro-Gyurcsány commentator believes that the MSZP should cooperate with its left-wing allies, instead of criticizing LMP and the Democratic Coalition, since only a broad coalition of the left-wing opposition can hope to defeat Orbán at the next election.

Orbán still without a challenger

Journalists and political analysts of both leftist and conservative inclinations wonder who might emerge as a rival to Viktor Orbán either as prime minister or as right-wing leader. The centre-right governing coalition is losing support, but the opposition parties have failed so far to increase their own popularity.