In their comments on the Tavares report on the Hungarian Basic Law, both left and right-wing pundits deem it highly unlikely that the EU will indeed sanction Hungary. READ MORE
Tags: constitution, democracy, EU, European Parliament, media, sanctions
Commenting on the latest opinion polls, a centrist and a pro-government commentator wonder why the left-wing parties have not managed to increase their support, although a majority of voters are dissatisfied with the current government. READ MORE
A left-wing columnist finds PM Orbán’s speech at the World Jewish Congress too timid. He believes while the PM condemns anti-Semitism, at the same time he is trying to secure the support of far-right voters by reviving the cult of the anti-Semitic interwar era. READ MORE
Tags: anti-Semitism, Orbán
A liberal columnist believes that PM Orbán’s disrespect for the rule of law is a greater threat to Hungary than racist protesters. A pro-government commentator, on the other hand, contends that whatever it does, the Orbán government will either be labeled as anti-democratic, or as racist. READ MORE
Tags: anti-Semitism, Orbán
A left wing commentator welcomes the Prime Minister’s attempts to prevent anti-Semitic demonstrations, although he would prefer clear-cut legislation to ban racist rallies in general. A right-wing columnist believes the Left needs the danger of racism in order to present itself as the only bulwark against barbarism. READ MORE
Tags: anti-Semitism, Jobbik, Orbán
Commentators from left to right believe that the EU is unlikely to lift the excessive deficit procedure imposed on Hungary, and agree that its motives are political. A pro-government commentator says there are foreign interests behind the pessimistic EU forecast, while both a left-wing editorial and a business columnist interpret the move as a warning to Hungary. READ MORE
An independent analyst writes that until the tobacco shop scandal emerged, Fidesz could set the political agenda. But as recent events have shown, it cannot feel safe. This is the kind of issue which can turn many voters against them, even a few days before the elections. READ MORE
Tags: corruption, elections, tobacco shops, transparency
A centre-right columnist finds that the new amendment to the Freedom of Information Act is a grave mistake, but he discloses that he was told by inside sources that the real reason behind it was not to cover up the tobacco shop concession-scandal. READ MORE
Tags: corruption, tobacco shops, transparency
A left wing weekly writes that communist symbols pose minimal danger and the ban on them is based on a myth, invented by the Hungarian right to silence their left- wing rivals, namely that Communism and Nazism were equally destructive regimes. A centre-right weekly objects that there are billions still living under repressive communist regimes around the world, while Nazism was annihilated once and for all almost seventy years ago. READ MORE
Tags: Antall, anti-Semitism, red star
A former advisor to the public media conglomerate, MTVA, thinks the much reviled media law has brought essential improvements to the regulatory framework, and regulators were unprepared for the vehement of the attacks against it – despite the warning signs. READ MORE
Tags: media