Entries RSS Feed Share Send to Facebook Tweet This Accessible version

Dispute over US Ambassador’s comments

Saturday, September 8th, 2018

A Hungarian-American liberal commentator lambasts the new US Ambassador to Budapest for ignoring what he sees as the decline of democratic norms in Hungary. His pro-government counterpart welcomes Mr Cornstein’s words. READ MORE

Sargentini report to be tabled at EP

Friday, September 7th, 2018

As the European Parliament prepares for the debate on the rule of law in Hungary and the possible activation of Article 7 to suspend Hungary’s voting rights, pro-government columnists accuse the author of the report Judith Sargentini of serving the interests of George Soros. A left-wing columnist, on the other hand, thinks that pro-government pundits act as propagandists for the government. READ MORE

A left-wing take on EU sanctions procedure against Hungary

Thursday, June 28th, 2018

A left-wing columnist interprets the prospect of an EU procedure against Hungary on account of ‘a clear risk of a serious breach of EU values’ as a shame for the country, and proof that the Hungarian government does not follow the rule of law. READ MORE

EP committee backs sanctions procedure against Hungary

Wednesday, June 27th, 2018

In an early comment on the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties committee vote in favor of sanctioning Hungary, a pro-government pundit accuses EU liberals of burying their heads in the sand. READ MORE

Dispute over constitutional amendments

Monday, June 18th, 2018

A Marxist philosopher excoriates the government’s proposed constitutional amendments and accuses the government of ethnic nationalist politics as well as the uprooting of the rule of law. A conservative lawyer, on the other hand, thinks that the defence of Hungary’s ethnic composition and constitutional identity is necessary to strengthen democracy. READ MORE

Dispute among liberals over the fairness of election

Saturday, April 21st, 2018

Three liberal intellectuals question the fairness and legitimacy of the April 8 election. Another liberal commentator suggests that by blaming their defeat purely on allegedly unfair circumstances, the Left could miss an opportunity to revise its strategy. READ MORE

György Konrád’s speculations about PM Orbán’s eventual demise

Wednesday, January 10th, 2018

A pro-government columnist suggests that the liberal writer is advocating violence when he projects a future scenario in which the PM may have to choose between quitting or being killed. An alt-left commentator thinks the scenario Mr Konrad sketched is mistaken, but non-threatening. READ MORE

Vona describes Jobbik as ‘the last bastion of democracy’

Saturday, December 30th, 2017

As Jobbik leader Gábor Vona claims that his party is the ‘last bastion of democracy’, a pro-government commentator accuses him of pure opportunism. A left-wing blogger also dismisses the idea that Mr Vona would in any way be a defender of democracy. READ MORE

Jobbik as the central theme of year-end politics

Monday, December 18th, 2017

As the Jobbik party stands accused of illicit campaign financing, columnists on Left and Right ponder the impact of its billboard-financing controversy on party politics and electoral chances. READ MORE

Jobbik to demonstrate against campaign finance fine

Friday, December 15th, 2017

As the Jobbik party announces a demonstration ‘in defence of democracy’, a left-wing blogger wonders whether liberals and left-wingers should join the demonstration of the radical party. READ MORE