A conservative analyst suggests that the current opposition doesn’t offer a political home to the new generation which has expressed its discontent in a series of recent mass demonstrations. Thus he believes that a Fidesz victory in next year’s elections is not in jeopardy. READ MORE
As former PM Bajnai is named Chief Operating Officer of the Paris based Meridiam investment firm, commentators on both the left and right agree that Bajnai is quitting politics. While a right-wing columnist considers this as good riddance for Hungary, a left-wing analyst blames Bajnai’s failure on Gyurcsány and Mesterházy. READ MORE
Opinions diverge on whether the MSZP made the right choice in convening its congress for mid-July or if it was the result of a last ditch trick by the failed leadership. Analysts also think Fidesz is putting the Left in an awkward position with the planned new rules for the municipal elections in Budapest. What they do not know is what will enable left-wing parties to attract more voters rather than cannibalising each other. READ MORE
A left-wing analyst appreciates Attila Mesterházy’s decision to step down both as Socialist party leader and as faction leader in Parliament. He writes with disdain about one of Mesterházy’s former supporters who “stabbed him in the back”. READ MORE
The first analyses following the elections for the European Parliament agree that the Socialist Party was the main loser of the day. The absolute majority of Fidesz was no surprise, given the low turnout, and Jobbik was expected by most observers to come in second. But the poor showing of the MSZP was a shock for left-wingers and a cause for much schadenfreude for the Right. READ MORE
A leading left-liberal pundit cautions Socialist Party Chairman against hasty moves which have done so much harm to his authority since the elections. READ MORE
A young pro-government writer suggests that Fidesz helped the Socialists to preserve their place in Hungarian politics, and now it is time for the MSZP to take up the offer and give up “the democracy agenda”. The author, a member of the Young Christian Democrats (affiliated with the Fidesz-KDNP coalition) recalls the so-called Bethlen-Peyer pact as an example which could be emulated today. READ MORE
In their analyses on the causes of the defeat of the Left at the elections on 6th April, commentators across the political spectrum believe that there will be no left-wing alternative to the incumbent government until the far reaching lessons of two consecutive electoral catastrophes are learned. Opinions differ, however about what those lessons are. READ MORE
A pro-government columnist thinks the Left hasn’t learned the lesson of the elections and sticks to the radical language which, he suggests, caused its crushing defeat on April 6th. He predicts that these tactics will further weaken the left-wing opposition. READ MORE
Népszabadság and ATV propose a series of televised debates, including a duel between PM Viktor Orbán and Socialist Party leader Attila Mesterházy during the last week of the campaign. Right-wing pundits dismiss the idea that such pre-electoral debates are a must in any democracy. READ MORE