Commentators on both the left and right agree that recent scandals affecting Jobbik indicate grave conflicts and deep rifts within the far-right party. Analysts contend that this could foreshadow either its split or decline . READ MORE
Tags: anti-Semitism, corruption, EU, Fidesz, Jobbik, Roma, Szegedi
A right-wing commentator, echoing the government’s claims, believes that the Orbán government’s widely criticised ’unorthodox’ economic measures are being copied by various European countries. A centrist online news site, however, finds such comparisons unconvincing. READ MORE
Tags: crisis, deficit, economy, EU, Europe, France, Matolcsy, Slovakia
A left-wing and a centrist commentator accuse the government of not fulfilling its promise to introduce individual accounts into the state pension system. The promise was made two years ago, at the time of what critics called the factual nationalization of the compulsory private pension savings. READ MORE
Tags: pensions
A pro-government columnist finds it disturbing that the left-wing media, which is quick to demand the prosecution of alleged Nazi-era criminals, is silent in the case of György Mátsik, an iconic figure of the Communist purges in the aftermath of the 1956 revolution. The right-wing commentator believes that crimes against humanity should not be distinguished frome one another on an ideological basis. READ MORE
Tags: communism, constitution, crime, Mátsik
A right-wing columnist believes that Hungarians in Romania played a decisive role in Sunday’s failed referendum, which intended to remove President Basescu from office. A left-wing pundit, on the other hand, believes that the active involvement of the Hungarian government in the campaign will weaken the Hungarian minority in Romania. READ MORE
Tags: diaspora, Orbán, Romania, Transylvania
In a comment on Viktor Orbán’s weekend speech, in which the PM blamed Brussels for the mishandling of the economic crisis, pundits on both left and right warn of the perils of the revival of national sovereignty. READ MORE
Tags: crisis, economy, EU, nationalism, Orbán
A centrist blogger joins scores of left-wing commentators in condemning Viktor Orbán’s statement that power is indispensable to create national cohesion. Debates have also erupted around the decision taken by the Fidesz leadership to introduce preliminary voter registration. READ MORE
Leading Socialist politicians condemn Népszava for printing a full page advertisement by Közgép, a construction company widely believed to be the backbone of a Fidesz-friendly business empire. The editor-in-chief asks why it is necessary to throw away money that helps keep the daily afloat. READ MORE
A pro-government columnist berates the IMF for consulting with people affiliated to opposition parties. READ MORE
Tags: IMF
In the search for a balance between efficient government and democratic checks and balances, a popular centrist analyst finds that after the present centralized power structure, a coalition government would be a welcome change. READ MORE