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Nazi invasion monument to be erected in Budapest


Left-wing commentators echo the misgivings expressed by opposition politicians about the government’s plan to erect a monument commemorating the invasion of Hungary by Nazi Germany in 1944. The statue is due to be unveiled on the 70th anniversary, i.e. March 19th, on Szabadság (Freedom) square, in front of the monument to Soviet soldiers. Left-wing politicians have criticised the hasty decision and expressed fears that the monument will implicitly whitewash the role of those Hungarians who collaborated with the Nazis. READ MORE

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Tax amnesty for investors in government bonds


Népszabadság calls the project a capitulation to tax evasion and deplores a police search in the home of a tax fraud whistle-blower. Meanwhile, fact-finding journalists continue their quest to either prove or disprove the whistle-blower’s allegations. READ MORE

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Closing remarks on 2013


In their traditional New Year columns, left and right-wing dailies alike agree that Fidesz is the probable winner of the next elections, but that prospect does not make them equally happy. READ MORE

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Hungary seen avenged by EU downgrade


Magyar Nemzet believes that what its editors always saw as double standards in judging economic policies came to an end when Standard and Poor’s stripped the European Union of its top credit rating just before Christmas. The commentator cautions, however, against premature triumphalism, despite the first signs of recovery in Hungary.
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Jobbik in focus


Is Jobbik a post-fascist movement or a fringe protest party? Does it pursue a racist and neo-Nazi ideology? How radical is its agenda? Is it comparable to far-right populist parties in Western Europe? In VS, a new centrist online media outlet, popular intellectuals and pundits discuss Jobbik’s ideology and its electoral prospects in a comparative perspective. READ MORE

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Post-Christmas ruminations on poverty


Left-wing columnists accuse the government of ignoring growing poverty. Their pro-government counterpart believes that the opposition is trying to politically exploit the poor, having done nothing to improve their lot while they were in government. READ MORE

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1989-1990 interpreted as a revolution


A conservative historian argues  that the democratic transition in Hungary has been a success story. She recommends that instead of constantly complaining, Hungarians should acknowledge their achievements and learn to show more determination in the pursuit of their interests. READ MORE

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The state of press freedom in Hungary


A right-wing columnist lambasts a video clip on censorship by the organization Reporters Without Borders, and suggests that despite all the controversies around media freedom in Hungary, it is ridiculous to liken PM Orbán to authoritarian dictators. READ MORE

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Central Banker Matolcsy on FX loans and banks


The leading left-wing daily accuses National Bank chief Matolcsy of compromising judicial independence and the rule of law by calling for retroactive legislation in order to abolish FX loans. A pro-government commentator welcomes the government’s efforts to strengthen Hungarian owned banks. READ MORE

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Police raid on the Tax Authority whistleblower


An unaffiliated commentator, writing in Index, says the raid on András Horváth’s apartment during which police seized documents and his laptop computer, reminds him of the bad old days. Mandiner counters with a commentary from an unnamed blogger who finds the ‘love affair’ of the liberal media with a less-then-convincing Horváth ridiculous. READ MORE

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