EU oil embargo compromise seen as a success for PM Orbán

Pro-government as well as left-wing and liberal commentators agree that the 6th round of EU sanctions against Russia represents a victory for Prime Minister Orbán. They disagree, however, on whether the agreement serves Hungary’s long-term interests.

Plans for an oil embargo without Hungary

A pro-government columnist believes Hungary would be happy with a non-binding embargo on Russian crude oil, as suggested by the German Deputy Chancellor.

Weeklies on the row over banning oil imports from Russia

Opposition-leaning weeklies accuse the government of conniving with Moscow, by rejecting the proposed ban on importing Russian crude oil without significant compensation from the European Union. Pro-government commentators, on the other hand, argue that Hungary’s position is dictated by plain common sense.

Phasing out Russian oil still dominates news

Pro-government commentators find the EU proposal to eliminate Russian oil unrealistic and even counterproductive. Left-wing and liberal pundits also acknowledge the economic cost of an oil embargo, but fear that abandoning or diluting the plan would weaken the EU and benefit Russia.

Foreign Minister reaffirms objections to EU sanctions on Russian oil

A pro-government pundit, as well as his alt-left counterpart, agree that the EU’s proposed embargo on Russian oil would harm the EU more than Russia, and is unlikely to stop the war.

Conservative advice to government on its EU discourse

A conservative columnist hopes that the Hungarian government will revise its communication within the EU, strike a more conciliatory tone, and be ‘properly cynical’ in order to secure EU funding.

Athletics World Championship hangs in the (political) balance

A right-wing pundit accuses the Mayor of Budapest of high treason for his suggestion to withdraw Budapest’s offer to host the 2023 Athletic World Championship. A leftist commentator sees the Mayor’s move as reversible, depending on the destiny of the ‘Student City’ project, competing for the same area with a ...

The Prime Minister’s video on media freedom

A left-wing site dismisses the Prime Minister’s argument that the abundance of outlets harshly critical of his government is vivid proof of a free press in Hungary. A pro-government outlet takes the attempted murder of a Dutch journalist as an indication that The Netherlands has problems with media freedom.

Socialists expel former leaders

As the Socialist Party expels its former chairman and vice chairman, a left-wing weekly expects a series of defections in protest.

Government tables anti-pedophile bill

Commentators disagree on amendments to the penal code proposing stricter punishments for pedophiles. Child abusers will be registered in a searchable database and consumers of online child pornography will face prison sentences.