Left and right wing columnists are sharply divided on the resolution the European Parliament adopted on Hungary earlier this week. While conservative commentators condemn Hungarian Socialist MEPs for actively taking part, their left wing counterparts call on the government to act. READ MORE
Right-wing commentators feel that Hungary is being unfairly accused of anti-democratic tendencies and unjustly put under pressure, but a business analyst says it has to comply with the demands put forward by the European Union. READ MORE
The President of the Writers’ Union condemns those Hungarian intellectuals who accuse the government of authoritarianism in foreign newspapers. In an interview in Heti Válasz, János Szentmártoni says it is unfair to question the government’s democratic credentials. READ MORE
According to a pro-government commentator, the agreement reached at the European summit on Monday proves that Prime Minister Orbán was right not to rush to join the Merkel-Sarkozy pact in its original form in December. READ MORE
A pro-government commentator accuses Hungary’s international critics of serving the interests of a few dozen greedy private companies. A renowned British conservative philosopher thinks Hungary should reject foreign interference in her internal affairs. READ MORE
Left wing newspapers remain highly critical of the government’s economic policy and of Minister György Matolcsy personally, after a week which witnessed PM Viktor Orbán meeting EC President José Manuel Barroso, the IMF issuing its annual Staff Report and Mr Matolcsy facing the Economic Committee of Parliament. Pro-government columnists talk about relative successes and the cabinet’s intention to accomplish a shift in its policies. READ MORE
Liberal and left-wing analysts fear that the strengthening anti-EU rhetoric prevalent among the supporters of the government will in the long run play into the hands of the radical right. READ MORE
Commentators ponder what the actual meaning and possible consequences of Saturday’s pro-government rally will be. According to right-wing commentators, the Orbán government will start the negotiations with the European Commission and the IMF about a loan from a better position. Left-wing pundits believe the opposite. READ MORE
Commenting on Saturday’s large pro-government march in Budapest, a left-wing commentator recognises that government supporters are good at organising “revolutions”. Right wing analysts express diverging views on what Hungary’s attitude should be towards international investors and the European Union. READ MORE
Commentators agree that the debate on Hungary in the EP was of a low standard. A pro-government daily praises PM Viktor Orbán’s performance, while a left-wing commentator points out that that all MEPs followed their party lines. A centrist political analyst believes that it is still not certain that a compromise will be reached between the EU and the Hungarian government. READ MORE