Libri taken over by MCC

As government-funded MCC becomes the almost exclusive owner of Hungary’s largest bookseller and publishing company, a pro-government pundit ridicules liberal protests against the takeover.

MEPs pass resolution condemning Hungary

Commentators sharply disagree on the resolution passed by the European Parliament, questioning the suitability of Hungary to take over the rotating presidency of the European Council one year from now.

US ambassador criticises Hungary’s stance on Ukraine

A pro-government columnist believes that the US ambassador is motivated by an excessive thirst for publicity, while a left-wing analyst shares the opinion of the American diplomat.

Jewish community reacts to Prime Minister’s remarks on ‘mixed race’

Prime Minister Orbán’s comments on race in his speech on Saturday were made in the context of his opposition to mass immigration from outside Europe. Nevertheless, Jewish leaders and authors in Hungary found his words disturbing. One added, however, that Hungary is a safe country for Jewish people.

Hungary sides with the EU on Ukraine

As PM Orbán assures the European Union that Hungary ’is part of the joint EU stance’, media outlets are cautiously dramatic in reporting Russia’s decision to send troops into eastern Ukraine, after President Putin recognised the independence of the two breakaway regions.

Márki-Zay to be left without own parliamentary group

A pro-government commentator writes that the opposition parties wanted to teach Péter Márki-Zay a lesson by not allowing him to put his own candidates on the opposition ballot. A liberal pundit thinks that Márki-Zay’s party could have wooed moderate supporters, thus its exclusion could cost them votes.

Karácsony withdraws from the primary race

A pro-government daily reads Gergely  Karácsony’s decision to withdraw from the opposition primary as proof that he is a failed politician. A left-wing analyst lambasts him for releasing a string of contradictory statements.

Opposition holds first primary debate

Commentators right across the political spectrum agree that the opposition candidates avoided fierce disputes and divisive topics in order to show unity.

EU backs cage-free farming but not ethnic minority pact

A pro-government pundit lambasts the European Commission which, after rejecting the ‘Minority Safe Pact’, has now embraced a citizens’ petition entitled ‘End the Cage Age’.

Journalist fined for offending Hungarians

Commenting on the verdict of the Kúria (the supreme court), liberal lawyers express outrage, while a representative of the plaintiffs believes it was high time to punish a journalist whom he accuses of ‘regularly offending the dignity of Hungarians’.