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. READ MORE
Tags: constitution, Council of Europe, EU, US
Left-wing columnists welcome a court decision which opens up the possibility for Klubrádió to keep its frequency. They suspect, however, that the Media Authority will try once again to find a way to silence the opposition radio station. READ MORE
Right-wing columnists review the latest opinion polls, and conclude that the opposition parties are unlikely to challenge the governing coalition at the 2014 parliamentary elections. READ MORE
Tags: 2014, Fidesz, Jobbik, KDNP, LMP, MSZP, polls, Together 2014
The leading left-wing daily calls on the mainstream moderate parties to work out strategic welfare plans to lift the Roma out of poverty, and by implication, take the wind out of the sails of the radical right-wing Jobbik. READ MORE
Tags: anti-Semitism, Jobbik, Orbán, Roma
A pro-government columnist welcomes the Constitutional Court’s decision to strike down the controversial Church Law on formal grounds. He notes, however, that the Court has acknowledged that the government has the right to determine which religious denominations can earn official status as churches, and by implication become eligible for public subsidies in their non-spiritual activities. READ MORE
Tags: churches, constitution, Constitutional Court, Lázár
Newspapers are full of mostly cautious speculation about the fate of the National Bank under György Matolcsy who hasserved so far as Minister for National Economy. While some commentators see his appointment as a coup, others point out that the markets had taken the change for granted. READ MORE
Zsolt Bayer, known for his controversial statements, and often accused of racism and anti-Semitism, sums up his credo and defends himself against the charges. READ MORE
A pro-government journalist lists examples of discrimination and arrogance in the record of the left-wing Romanian government and asks how it is possible that such politicians are not rejected by the EU and are even embraced by Hungarian Socialists. READ MORE
Tags: MSZP, Romania, Transylvania
An independent political analyst suggests that the low popularity ratings of the EU are due primarily to the recession, but in Hungary, the government’s rhetoric is also a factor. READ MORE
Left-wing commentators agree that Milla had good reasons not to join Gordon Bajnai’s new party, but their decision is yet another sign of how difficult it is for centre-left organizations and splinter parties to join forces. READ MORE