As opposition politicians start to position themselves for next autumn’s two-round primary that will decide who will be PM Viktor Orbán’s challenger next year, a popular columnist opts for a non-party Christian candidate. READ MORE
Echoing the opposition parties, a left-wing commentator accuses the government of ‘bleeding dry’ local councils by reducing local business taxes. A pro-government columnist, on the other hand, accuses the opposition of the ‘absurd tendency’ to increase taxes in times of economic hardship. READ MORE
A left-wing commentator accuses the government of trying to disqualify companies which are not close to Fidesz from the tender for the reconstruction of the Chain Bridge. Her pro-government counterpart, on the other hand, contends that the opposition-run Budapest City Council wants to secure a lucrative deal for the Austrian firm, Strabag. READ MORE
A pro-government commentator dismisses as groundless an allegation advanced by Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony, that the government intends to punish Budapest by cutting its budget. A liberal pundit wonders if Budapest could become insolvent. READ MORE
A left-wing pundit accuses the government of stigmatizing Budapest by starting to lift the coronavirus restrictions only in the countryside. His pro-government counterpart finds such speculation absurd and politically motivated. READ MORE
As Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony announces plans to drastically reduce speed limits in Budapest, a pro-government commentator labels him a ‘green Nazi’. His liberal counterpart also has serious doubts about the implications of the proposed restrictions. READ MORE
A pro-government commentator blames coronavirus cases in Budapest care homes personally on Budapest Mayor Karácsony. A left-wing columnist thinks that the mayor cannot be made responsible for everything that happens in Budapest. READ MORE
A right-wing columnist castigates the Budapest Mayor for taking what he calls politically motivated decisions against the advice of a professional panel, while a left-wing outlet accuses the government of meddling in theatre nominations. READ MORE
A liberal and a pro-government commentator assess Budapest Mayor Karácsony’s performance during his first one hundred days in office. READ MORE
A liberal weekly welcomes the alliance of liberal-led East European cities as the advance guard of a potential shift in government throughout the region. A conservative constitutional lawyer warns the leaders of the cities that now they must prove their ability to govern in order to become serious challengers to the incumbent government. READ MORE