A first reaction to PM Orbán’s State of the Nation address

A pro-government commentator agrees with the Prime Minister that the victory of the Left in the April election would bring Hungary back to globalist pro-Brussels policies and would be devastating for Hungary.

Diverging views on Hungary’s place in Europe

Pro-government commentators portray Hungary as a defender of traditional European values. Their liberal counterpart, on the other hand, accuses the Hungarian governing party of building disturbing strategic partnerships within and beyond the EU.

EP condemns Hungary’s anti-LGBT law

Pro-government commentators accuse the EU of endorsing gender and LGBT ideologies which are alien to everyday Europeans. A liberal media outlet thinks that Fidesz is using the anti-LGBT legislation to divert public attention from other issues the governing party is less comfortable with.

Government rejects criticism by US Secretary of State over media freedom

In an online press conference, Antony Blinken expressed concern over media pluralism in Hungary and called for a more diverse media environment.

Diplomatic row between Hungary and Germany over the sacking of a coach

he German Foreign Ministry has rejected Hungarian protests against the sacking of a Hungarian football coach in Berlin. Commentators’ opinions diverge on the rights and wrongs, but even opposition leaning columnists tend to believe that firing the coach was a disproportionate punishment.

Criticism of Gyurcsány’s ‘there will be no mercy’ comment

Pro-government commentators take Mr Gyurcsány’s threat at face value, compare him to past communist executioners and question his sanity.

Fidesz quits EPP group

Pro-government columnists in unison welcome the Fidesz decision to quit the EPP Parliamentary group. Left-wing commentators, on the other hand, predict that Fidesz will lose much of its influence in the EU.

Row over electoral law amendments

A pro-government columnist finds opposition criticism of the amendments proposed to the electoral law groundless and even absurd, arguing that the proposal targeting tiny pseudo-parties. A liberal commentator agrees that the proposed changes are not all unfavourable for the opposition, but nonetheless deems it problematic that the government tables such ...

Reactions to conflicts over abortion rights in Poland

A pro-government columnist accuses Polish demonstrators protesting against the restriction of abortion rights of trying to erase the core of Polish national identity. A liberal commentator deems it unlikely that abortion rights will be restricted in Hungary.

EP deputy speaker demands rule of law sanctions

The Deputy Speaker of the European Parliament calls for EU rules to be changed to punish the governments of Hungary and Poland for rule of law infringements. A pro-government columnist accuses her of hypocrisy.