Does Hungary need the Euro?
July 10th, 2017
A conservative economist ponders the potential benefits and disadvantages of introducing the Euro in Hungary, and calls for a calm pragmatic approach. READ MORE
Jobbik calls for European wage equality
July 10th, 2017
As the Jobbik party calls for European level wages for Hungarian employees, a former Minister of Industry and Trade cautions against such state intervention. READ MORE
Rival narratives of provocation and violence
July 8th, 2017
As the government and the opposition side trade accusations about alleged plans to provoke violence, a pro-government and a centrist commentator ponder the likelihood of a violent autumn. READ MORE
North Korea tests its ICBM
July 7th, 2017
A left-wing and a conservative commentator who are both strongly critical of the Hungarian government disagree whether the US will launch a pre-emptive strike against North Korea. Meanwhile, they both express concern not just about Kim Jong-un, but about President Trump as well. READ MORE
Tags: Donald Trump, US
Ruminations on increasingly extreme political rhetoric
July 6th, 2017
A centrist commentator thinks that a comment by Lajos Bokros, leader of the conservative liberal Modern Hungary Movement, describing Prime Minister Orbán as a ‘fascist’ is counterproductive, and will help the governing party to mobilize its supporters. READ MORE
PM Orbán visits Turkey
July 5th, 2017
As Prime Minister Orbán calls for more trade with Turkey and political cooperation with Ankara, writers critical of the government and its supporters disagree on how Hungary can and should relate to an illiberal but geopolitically important state. READ MORE
Tags: foreign affairs, Orbán, trade, Turkey
Dispute over Helmut Kohl’s legacy
July 4th, 2017
A left-wing and a pro-government columnist disagree over whether or not the Hungarian Prime Minister’s vision of a Europe of nation states is in line with Helmut Kohl’s legacy. READ MORE
Hungarians – the most pro-EU people in Europe
July 3rd, 2017
According to two parallel international surveys, Hungary turns out to be the nation most favourable to the European Union. But commentators sharply disagree on the role the government has played in confronting Brussels and shaping public opinion inside the country. The Hungarian EU Commissioner, despite his allegiance to Fidesz, disagrees with the government on migration issues. READ MORE
Opposing takes on high growth prospects
July 1st, 2017
A pro-government analyst sees high growth forecasts as proof that Hungary’s economic policies yield better results than the mainstream EU recipes, while a left-wing columnist suggests that the government is jeopardising the country’s future by rejecting further European integration. READ MORE
Is Italy following in Hungary’s footsteps?
June 30th, 2017
A conservative commentator quotes earlier statements by Italian left-wing leader Matteo Renzi who used to condemn Hungary for building a fence along its southern borders and who now complains that Italy cannot cope with the inflow of migrants from Africa. READ MORE