Fidesz wins two-thirds majority for the fourth time in a row

Both a pro-government and a liberal pundit predict that after Sunday’s landslide Fidesz victory, the opposition alliance will disintegrate.

More comments on the Ukraine war

Opposition-leaning commentators squarely condemn Russia, while pro-government ones agree to sanctions on Moscow but lambast the opposition candidate for Prime Minister who suggested Hungary should send weapons and soldiers to help Ukraine (although only if NATO asked her to).

Weeklies weigh up Márki-Zay

Pro-government pundits claim the opposition candidate for Prime Minister is absolutely unfit for the job. Left-wing commentators also remark on his clumsiness, but disagree whether this is a weakness or a strength.

Weeklies on the stakes in the April election

The two leading liberal weeklies urge the opposition to stand firm behind Péter Márki-Zay, despite his gaffes. A pro-government commentator fears that the national interest would be compromised if Fidesz loses. Another right-wing pundit speculates that foreign powers will intervene to help the opposition in the campaign.

Márki-Zay’s controversial words on Covid victims

A pro-government commentator lambasts opposition frontrunner Márki-Zay for saying that elderly Fidesz voters have been decimated by the pandemic. A left-wing columnist accuses the pro-government media of deliberately defaming Márki-Zay.

Left-wing analyst fears post-election violence

An opposition-leaning legal and political analyst warns that next year’s election may be followed by political violence. A pro-government commentator dismisses such warnings as mentally unbalanced.

Trouble in store for Hungarian relations with post-Merkel Germany?

Right-wing analysts fear that the new left-liberal German government will harshly criticize Hungary and try to encroach on national sovereignty. Left-wing commentators are less than certain that Germany will become more critical of Hungary than under Chancellor Merkel.

Weeklies on discord within the opposition over proposals to scrap the 2011 constitution

Commentators across the political spectrum wonder whether, if they win the election next April, the opposition could or would revoke the Fundamental Law - even in the absence of the required two-thirds majority in Parliament.

Democratic Coalition and Jobbik conclude primary pact

Jobbik’s former leader explains the reasons behind such a surprising alliance, while a conservative pundit accuses Jobbik of betraying its origins. A leftist commentator lambasts Jobbik and Karácsony for supporting a Socialist candidate accused of corruption.

Weighing the chances of the opposition alliance in 2022

Commentators from across the political spectrum consider that while Budapest mayor Gergely Karácsony could be the strongest candidate for the opposition in the 2022 parliamentary election, he might be defeated by the Democratic Coalition’s Klára Dovrev in the primary election this autumn.