Pleas for a more balanced approach to the Horthy renaissance

After an angry and passionate exchange of opinions about a supposed revival of the cult of Miklós Horthy, leading columnists from both left and right call for a less opinionated approach, and caution against the over-politicized simplification and distortion of controversial and sensitive historical issues.

For and against Horthy

An editorial in Népszabadság protests against what it calls an emerging cult around Miklós Horthy, Regent of Hungary in the interwar years and during the Second World War. A right-wing commentator argues that left wing historians and columnists attack Horthy in an attempt to hurt Viktor Orbán.

Controversies over party funding, and over Horthy and Kádár, the two main figures of 20th century Hungarian history

A centrist analyst fiercely opposes the Prime Minister’s idea of suspending public funding for political parties. A left wing commentator believes Fidesz has even broader control over public assets than the ruling party had under Communism. A sociologist shows that Hungary’s Communist ruler is more popular today than he even ...

Weeklies try to solve the riddle of Fidesz’s lasting success

Some commentators attribute the government’s success in one election after another to the weakness of the opposition, while others find the explanation in its endeavour to continue a long-standing trend in Hungarian political history.

Government to revive old public administration terminology

Two left-wing commentators disagree on whether the reintroduction of historical names for administrative regions of the country, as proposed by a Fidesz MP, are further proof of an authoritarian turn in Hungary. A pro-government columnist finds absurd the suggestion that the renaming process would take Hungary back to feudalism.

Ukraine war in the election campaign

The leading pro-government daily fears that an opposition victory in the Sunday election could result in Hungary joining a potential nuclear war in Ukraine. A left-wing pundit finds such allegations nauseating.

Slovakia’s Trianon gesture

A senior commentator welcomes the friendly gesture made by Slovakia’s new prime minister towards the Hungarian minority on the centenary of the Trianon peace treaty.

Budapest elected a liberal Mayor

A pro-government commentator attributes Gergely Karácsony’s victory in the Budapest Mayoral election to what he calls the ‘rootless globalist’ values of urban voters. A liberal pundit fears that the government will punish Budapest by cutting funding.

Transylvanian cemetery dispute

A left-wing commentator fears that the Hungarian government will use the skirmish between Hungarians and Romanians in Transylvania to unleash irredentist hatred. A pro-government pundit calls on Hungary to put on a show of force and hopes that Transylvania will soon become part of Hungary again. Another pro-government columnist calls ...

Remembering Hungary’s occupation by Nazi Germany

A historian remembering Hungary’s 1944 occupation contends that the Allied powers ignored the fate of Hungarian Jews. Another young historian calls for a more nuanced and less politicized interpretation of the 1944 events.