Constitutional amendments under fire

Left-wing columnists, echoing European and US concerns, accuse the government of violating basic democratic principles by incorporating in the Basic Law provisions which have been ruled unconstitutional. A right-wing commentator, on the other hand, believes that such worries are groundless and motivated by the opposition parties’ partisan views.

European left accused of bias towards Romanian PM

A commentator on the right finds the idea of a new Socialist policy targeting national minorities a campaign lie, and asks why the European left voted against a motion to examine Romanian Socialist Prime Minister Victor Ponta’s policies.

Stalemate with Europe still not over?

A Népszabadság columnist writes that the Orbán government’s stability is an asset but the EU still has some cards to play if Orbán does not conform to IMF expectations. The editor-in-chief of Heti Válasz describes a piece of advice allegedly coming from the European Commission as disregard for the basic ...

Will Áder represent the unity of the nation?

Most, but not all left-wing commentators believe that the future President of the Republic will play the tune of the government and will therefore not be the kind of balancing factor the head of the state is expected to be. An MEP colleague of Mr Áder says divisions are too ...

Verbal duel between Budapest and Brussels escalates

Pro-government commentators suggest that the government should not cave in to political pressure from the European Union and the IMF, while opposition newspapers warn that by refusing to accept the rules of the game Hungary’s leaders are taking serious and unnecessary risks.

Europe vs. Hungary – a clash of interests or principles?

A right-wing columnist accuses the European left of attacking the Hungarian government in order to restore the credibility of their battered ideological fellows within Hungary. A left-wing analyst, on the other hand, finds that Western criticism is only aimed at defending basic European values.

Will Orbán manage to be tough, and still ready to compromise?

A conservative philosopher believes Prime Minister Orbán should use more diplomatic language in his argument with the European Union, but admits that Brussels gives him little room to make concessions without losing face.

EP resolution on Hungary: commentators divided

Left and right wing columnists are sharply divided on the resolution the European Parliament adopted on Hungary earlier this week. While conservative commentators condemn Hungarian Socialist MEPs for actively taking part, their left wing counterparts call on the government to act.