Left-wing and liberal commentators accuse the government of risking the lives of Hungarians by mishandling the coronavirus epidemic. Pro-government columnists, on the other hand, dismiss such criticism as fear-mongering demagoguery. READ MORE
A pro-government pundit ridicules opposition parties which, he suggests, must now admit that their accusations of a ‘perennial dictatorship’ were unfounded. A Socialist lawyer thinks that the new regulations give more power to the government and to employers, whilst leaving the ordinary citizen with less influence or protection than before. READ MORE
A pro-government commentator believes that the termination of the emergency proves that the government did not want to misuse power. A liberal columnist acknowledges the necessity of emergency powers, but also thinks that the government abused its position. READ MORE
As the government plans to end the ‘state of danger’ on 1 June, opinions diverge on the Prime Minister’s motives. READ MORE
The leading pro-government daily accuses ‘George Soros and his network’, in a series of articles, of censoring Facebook content and limiting free speech. A liberal commentator finds the accusations absurd. A neoliberal pundit notes that free speech is under threat throughout Europe. READ MORE
In the wake of a debate in the European Parliament on the rule of law in Hungary, a pro-government and a left-wing commentator both find the EP powerless to have a real impact on Hungary’s governance. READ MORE
After Hungarian police interrogated then released two individuals for their Facebook posts critical of the government this week, liberal analysts find their fears justified that the government’s new fake news law threatens the freedom of opinion. READ MORE
Weeklies and the weekend editions of the dailies are sharply divided over the wider political implications and international repercussions of the government’s emergency laws approved by Parliament on Monday. READ MORE
A pro-government commentator scorns Hungary’s critics in the European Parliament, who are proposing yet another EU infringement procedure in response to Hungary’s coronavirus emergency act. Two liberal columnists suspect meanwhile that the government risks political and economic ostracization. READ MORE
A centrist analyst contends that the sudden weakening of the Forint can be explained by fears over Hungary’s emergency laws rather than by economic factors, and therefore the stabilization of the Hungarian currency’s exchange rate requires the adjustment of the government’s rhetoric and legislation style. READ MORE