The first comments on the outcome of the European People’s Party Presidency meeting on Hungary express a mixture of confusion and contradictions on whether the Prime Minister made concessions in Brussels, or defended his positions against criticism and pressure. READ MORE
Reacting to a statement by former Socialist Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány, that his 72 hour ultimatum has expired, and he now considers PM Orbán as having been blackmailed by Russia, his claim is dismissed by two of Mr Orbán’s conservative critics. READ MORE
While the Prime Minister defended his policies against sharp criticism by the European Commission and MEPs, a legal analyst wrote that the infringement procedure launched by the Commission against Hungary rests on shaky foundations. READ MORE
Ahead of a memorial event planned in the park where the communist philosopher’s statue stood until late March, two opposing views have been expressed in the press on whether or not György Lukács should be revered as a valuable part of Hungary’s intellectual heritage. READ MORE
Tags: culture wars, Lukács
A liberal commentator interprets the results of two district by-elections held in Budapest as proof that Fidesz is losing support and that Jobbik is becoming insignificant in the capital. READ MORE
A pro-government commentator dismisses left-wing expectations about the planned People’s Party debate on the policies pursued by the Hungarian government as ‘wishful thinking’. READ MORE
As Parliament begins to debate a bill on NGOs which receive foreign funding, pundits across the political spectrum discuss the idea of an ‘open society’, an ideal frequently evoked by George Soros, and assess the status and political role of NGOs in Hungary. READ MORE
Two young conservative pundits suggest that young middle class conservatives feel alienated by the policies of Fidesz. A pro-government commentator calls for dialogue between conservative elites and the government. READ MORE
Tags: Fidesz
A left-wing columnist defends demonstrators who throw paint as public buildings, on the grounds that they ‘have no other means to express their anger.’ A pro-government commentator thinks that everyone has the right to protest but only as long as they obey the law and respect public order. READ MORE
A pro-government columnist interprets the success of the Turkish referendum as a sign that Turkey is turning away from Europe. A left-wing commentator thinks Erdogan is doomed to fail because he has divided his country. READ MORE