Commentators from across the political spectrum consider that while Budapest mayor Gergely Karácsony could be the strongest candidate for the opposition in the 2022 parliamentary election, he might be defeated by the Democratic Coalition’s Klára Dovrev in the primary election this autumn. READ MORE
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