Stalemate with Europe still not over?

A Népszabadság columnist writes that the Orbán government’s stability is an asset but the EU still has some cards to play if Orbán does not conform to IMF expectations. The editor-in-chief of Heti Válasz describes a piece of advice allegedly coming from the European Commission as disregard for the basic principles of democracy, yet he adds that important matters should be thoroughly negotiated backstage – even if the government’s two thirds majority would allow for unilateral decisions. READ MORE

The price of the IMF loan

Now that the European Commission have given the green light for Hungary to start negotiating a credit-line agreement with the IMF, commentators assess the possible consequences of the restrictions announced by PM Viktor Orbán. Both left and right agree that the talks are a step forward, but the country could pay a very high price for the credit-line. READ MORE

Anti-EU sentiment on the rise in Europe

Hungary has no option but painful reforms

Commenting on the planned reforms presented by PM Orbán in Brussels, analysts agree that the Hungarian government has no choice but to take further steps to reduce the deficit after a decade of irresponsible governance. Some, however, fear that the austerity measures will deepen the economic crisis. READ MORE

Tax hikes meant to open road to IMF talks

Analysts agree that the new taxes announced by the government on the eve of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s meeting with EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso will be a heavy burden on Hungarian households. They are not sure however, whether the new restrictions will be enough to eliminate the hurdles preventing Hungary from starting negotiations on an IMF credit line. READ MORE

Will Áder represent the unity of the nation?

Most, but not all left-wing commentators believe that the future President of the Republic will play the tune of the government and will therefore not be the kind of balancing factor the head of the state is expected to be. An MEP colleague of Mr Áder says divisions are too deep for anyone to possibly satisfy the expectations of all political sides. READ MORE

EU political demands welcomed on the left

Left wing commentators believe that the European Union objects to the new legal setup in Hungary as a whole, and that is why the road to a credit line agreement has not been opened. One columnist welcomes this kind of “international interference,” but urges the EU to be more explicit in outlining its intentions. READ MORE

Hungarians lend to their government

As the IMF makes a credit-line agreement conditional on restoring foreign investors’ confidence, a right-wing commentator points out that Hungarians who buy government securities apparently have faith that their country will soon manage to get over the crisis. READ MORE

Verbal duel between Budapest and Brussels escalates

Pro-government commentators suggest that the government should not cave in to political pressure from the European Union and the IMF, while opposition newspapers warn that by refusing to accept the rules of the game Hungary’s leaders are taking serious and unnecessary risks. READ MORE

The EU sets vague conditions for credit talks

The main pro-government daily describes the attitude of the European Commission towards Hungary as nonsensical, for it releases only vague statements on what conditions Hungary should fulfil in order to be judged fit to start negotiations with the IMF on a long awaited credit line agreement. According to the biggest left-wing newspaper, on the other hand, the real problem is that Brussels has no trust in Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. READ MORE