Magyar Nemzet sends Cabinet Minister packing

In an unprecedentedly harsh attack on an incumbent member of the right-wing government, the leading pro-government daily urges the newly appointed Minister of National Development to step down, after evidence of past tax evasion and favouritism was revealed by the media.

Hungary buys MKB Bank

Analysts wonder if it makes sense to increase public ownership in the banking sector. A pro-government commentator welcomes the decision, which he believes will help the economy, while a left-wing columnist warns against spending public money to consolidate MKB.

Government vs RTL Klub

A centrist blog claims that the government is openly using theNational Tax Authority in its war against RTL Klub. A pro-government weekly says the commercial television channel finally showed its true colours when it started targeting the government as a reaction to the new tax on advertisements – and now ...

Former counter-espionage officer appointed state secretary

Liberal commentators note that former Communist secret service personnel have never really left Hungarian politics as no government has had the will to get rid of them. Earlier, a leading pro-government pundit and the organisers of the pro-government “peace marches” called for the removal of the newly appointed state secretary ...

PM Orbán in Berlin

Commenting on the Prime Minister’s speech in Berlin and his meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel, a left-wing columnist believes that Mr Orbán’s vision is too conservative even for German Christian Democrats. Right-wing commentators, on the other hand, contend that the German government regards Hungary as an important and reliable economic ...

Felcsút stadium under the microscope

The Prime Minister is mocked and criticised by left-liberal pundits for having a football stadium built in his native Felcsút. The project is also criticised by a moderate right-wing commentator.

Fears and hopes for the next four years

Commentators wonder whether or not the next Orbán government will strike a more conciliatory tone, and seek compromises in the economy and in symbolic battles at home and on the European scene.

Sólyom’s appeal ‘vote positive’

An opposition commentator explores the stance taken by former President László Sólyom and claims that he defined Fidesz as one of the evils in the upcoming election. He takes it for granted that Sólyom considers the Socialist-led Left an evil, but believes that the former President now sees it as ...

Media accused of biased coverage

A pro-government analyst rejects an OSCE report according to which the media is biased in favour of governing Fidesz. A left-liberal daily complains that its election panel discussion was banned because the Kúria (or Supreme Court) and the National Election Comittee (NEC) found them in violation of the principle of ...

Parliament to rewrite FX loan contracts

In their commentaries on the Constitutional Court’s verdict on forex loans, analysts from across the political spectrum agree that it is the government’s responsibility to help indebted families. It is, however, unclear how loans denominated in foreign currencies could be converted into Forint credits without severe economic consequences.