Fears of electoral irregularities on both sides of the political spectrum

A liberal commentator fears that the new permanent residence regulations open up the possibility of electoral fraud. A pro-government pundit, on the other hand, thinks that the US will interfere with the Hungarian election next year and help ‘pro-migration and pro-LBGT’ politicians to defeat Fidesz.

Trading accusations over coronavirus and vaccination

While the willingness of Hungarians to sign up for the coronavirus vaccine is slowly increasing, the right and left blame each other for the low level of trust in the vaccine among Hungarians.

Speculation about President Áder’s future

Commentators give credence to rumours that the Prime Minister doesn’t want Mr Áder to be re-elected next year. Opinions diverge, however about the reasons and one source claims that the President took the job four years ago for a single term anyway.

Áder compelled to take sides

A popular centrist analyst believes that by deciding to sign the controversial constitutional amendments, the President has given up his effort to stand above the political fray.

Constitutional amendments under fire

Left-wing columnists, echoing European and US concerns, accuse the government of violating basic democratic principles by incorporating in the Basic Law provisions which have been ruled unconstitutional. A right-wing commentator, on the other hand, believes that such worries are groundless and motivated by the opposition parties’ partisan views.

Secretary of state for culture is leaving office

A centre-right journalist describes László L. Simon as a moderate, unjustly reviled by liberals, who lost his battle against the far more conservative chairmann of the Hungarian Art Academy. A left-liberal commentator writes that the removal of László Simon is another sign of culture wars raging within the governing party, ...

New round of constitutional amendments in sight

The leading left-wing daily contends that the government wants to curtail the rights of the Constitutional Court by amending the Basic Law. A conservative lawyer, on the other hand, criticizes the Constitutional Court for not strictly applying the principles of the new Basic Law.

A lesson to learn from America

An independent-minded conservative columnist envies America, where the election of a President is a great day – and not just for the winner. He cautions against the planned further electoral reforms in Hungary, due to his concern that they would only produce anger and resentment.

Former PM Gyurcsány begins 7-day hunger strike

Commentators on both the right and the left agree that former Premier Gyurcsány’s decision to start a hunger strike in protest against the government’s electoral reform is a piece of theatre which cannot be taken seriously, and will do little to mobilize the masses.

Socialists propose ‘positive census’

Commenting on an MSZP proposal to introduce mandatory voting, Róbert Friss in Népszabadság fears that rewarding active voters would neither help to roll back populism nor increase democratic legitimacy.