In response to a liberal editorial calling on the EU to withhold funds from Hungary in order to promote a regime change, a pro-government daily warns that the EU has contractual obligations and its attempts to meddle in Hungarian democratic politics have already backfired. READ MORE
Commenting on the first round of talks between MSZP leader Attila Mesterházy and his rival and ally, Gordon Bajnai, analysts agree that their alliance is likely to prove an uphill battle until next year’s elections.
Tags: Bajnai, Mesterházy
A leading liberal pundit supports the initiators of a campaign demanding the authorisation of active euthanasia. READ MORE
Tags: euthanasia, health
A right-wing columnist cautiously suggests that Hungary cannot afford to be at odds with the European Union and should avoid becoming marginalised. READ MORE
Népszabadság accuses the Prime Minister of defending his own personal power on the pretext of safeguarding national sovereignty, while Magyar Hírlap finds the government’s left-wing critics guilty of undying subservience to foreign governments. READ MORE
A left-wing commentator thinks it is unreasonable to replace a cheap loan with more expensive ones, therefore the government’s decision must be based on political calculations. A business news site suggests that getting rid of the IMF may prove politically profitable for the governing right wing. READ MORE
A pro-government commentator thinks the government will eventually opt to repay the country’s outstanding debt to the IMF ahead of schedule, as such a feat would strengthen its position in the electoral race. READ MORE
A centrist analyst contends that Gordon Bajnai has failed to line the MSZP up behind him, and now the MSZP has the upper hand. A left-wing columnist believes that it is close to impossible to bring the two opposition parties under the same roof. READ MORE
Tags: Bajnai, Mesterházy
Left-wing and liberal commentators fulminate about the exemption of tobacco shops from the municipal ban on the sale of alcohol after 10 pm. A critical conservative blogger warns against overregulation. A pro-government columnist likens the Democratic Coalition’s initiative to paint the pavement in front of tobacco shops to Nazi practices. READ MORE
Tags: tobacco shops
Népszabadság thinks Hungary will not be able to prevent the Croatian authorities from interrogating and eventually indicting MOL Ceo Zsolt Hernádi. READ MORE