An independent conservative author sees no justifiable reason for the government to lash out against NGOs subsidised by liberal western sources. A pro-government analyst, on the other hand believes that foreign interests in Hungarian politics must be made visible. READ MORE
Pundits across the political spectrum debate if and to what extent NGOs should be considered as political actors rather than independent organizations. READ MORE
Left-wing and liberal sources liken the government’s plans to require asset declarations from NGO executives to totalitarian and dictatorial policies. Centrist commentators welcome more transparency but criticize the harsh language. A conservative columnist thinks that the proposal is a mere political red herring. READ MORE
As Parliament prepares to discuss a bill that would require executives of NGOs to declare their assets annually, a left-wing columnist accuses the government of trying to silence its critics. A pro-government commentator, on the other hand, thinks the proposed legislation will promote transparency. READ MORE
The leading left-wing daily accuses the Prime Minister of cowardice and abuse of power in connection with the government’s feud with a group of liberal NGOs two years ago. READ MORE
A liberal commentator ridicules the efforts of anti-government NGOs to initiate a referendum on 19 separate issues. He suggests that unless the opposition finds a clear and simple message they are unlikely to increase their support. READ MORE
Pro-government commentators find it strange that while Washington sees Hungarian moves to investigate Norwegian funded projects as a serious attack on civil society, the United States has its own problems with Norwegian financed think tanks posing as independent research institutions. READ MORE
As the US bans a number of unnamed Hungarian state officials and businessmen from entering the US, left-wing and liberal columnists contend that the US wants to teach what they call the corrupt and increasingly pro-Russian Orbán government a lesson. Conservative pundits believe that the US wants to set an example and send the message that it does not tolerate any deviation from its foreign policy line or any violation of its financial interests. READ MORE
A left-wing columnist sees the critical remarks made by President Obama accusing the Hungarian government of intimidating NGOs as evidence that the US is deeply concerned about the state of Hungarian democracy. A pro-government commentator accuses President Obama of applying double standards against Hungary. READ MORE
After President Obama mentioned Hungary alongside Egypt as a county which intimidates NGOs, Népszabadság warns that those remarks were only the beginning and the worst is still ahead. Heti Válasz believes that the NGOs concerned are in reality liberal political activists, but condemns demonstrations of force against them. READ MORE