Hard to stop this wave of migration

A former high ranking intelligence officer calls on the  West to launch massive non-profit investment programs in the Third World, as the only way to stop the current wave of migration to the north which is a serious threat to societies in the northern hemisphere.

Budapest Court of Appeal upholds life sentence for racist murderers

A left-wing columnist fears that the possibility of further appeal by the murderers of Roma families will weaken trust in Hungarian courts. A conservative commentator wonders why the involvement of the secret services under the Gyurcsány government was not investigated.

Jobbik MEP’s Russian spy story

Index runs a lengthy fact-finding story to underpin the suspicion that Jobbik’s leading foreign affairs expert is a Russian secret service operative. He denies the charges and has threatened to sue the author and the news site.

Life sentences for serial killers

Commentators agree that justice has been done, but the investigation was too slow and the secret services could have prevented some of the racist and murderous attacks. There is no consensus, however, about the reasons behind the authorities’ poor performance.

Ruminations on the Manning verdict

Both a left-wing and a pro-government columnist fear that a harsh prison sentence for Private Manning, found guilty of espionage and other charges could undermine democracy and press freedom.

Former State Security Minister convicted in first instance

Commentators agree that it is difficult to interpret a conviction where no information is available to the public, not even the precise nature of the charge. They tend to believe the sentence is either ill-founded or justified, according to their political affiliations.

Gyurcsány suspected behind Őszöd leak saga

A right-wing commentator contends that renewed speculation about who leaked former PM Gyurcsány's 2006 “lie-speech,” is actually part of Mr Gyurcsány's strategy to blackmail the left-wing opposition and thereby secure himself a place in a future anti-Orbán coalition.

The tobacco shop scandal and the election game

An independent analyst writes that until the tobacco shop scandal emerged, Fidesz could set the political agenda. But as recent events have shown, it cannot feel safe. This is the kind of issue which can turn many voters against them, even a few days before the elections.

“Socialist Watergate” tape transcripts

Commentators weigh the possible implications of conversations conducted by Hungary’s counter-espionage chief with a prominent mafioso in 2008, on how the latter could be helpful in discrediting right-wing politicians.

A Socialist Watergate?

Heti Válasz publishes details of an alleged conspiracy between the secret services and a prominent underworld figure under the former Socialist government.