The USA’s own Norwegian Fund problem

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.

Diverging right-wing views on NGO conflict

A pro-government commentator believes that the Norwegian government is biased in the NGO scandal and the NGOs defended by it are practically opposition activists. Her conservative colleague does not totally disagree but calls the police performance on Monday “brainless and unacceptable”.

NGOs suspected of embezzlement

Left-liberal dailies sharply criticise the government after police searched the offices of two NGOs. They believe the authorities are simply out to get civic groups which dare to criticise the government. A leading member of the largest pro-government civic organisation rejects accusations of anti-democratic tendencies against the government.

Amazon wildfires linked to sovereignty issues

Pundits in weeklies right across the political spectrum discuss the Amazon rain forest fires alongside issues of national sovereignty.

Mike Pompeo’s visit to Budapest

The left-wing nationwide daily reports that Hungary has soothed Washington’s concerns over Russian and Chinese ‘penetration’ with promises to boost economic and military cooperation with the United States.

Government Audit Office papers released

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.

Obama accuses Hungary of clamping down on civil society

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.

The PM’s acceptance speech

A pro-government commentator suggests that Mr Orbán wants to serve the country as a whole, but the opposition will make national reconciliation impossible. A left-wing daily reads the speech as proof that the Prime Minister will continue to define people of different political views as enemies. A liberal paper thinks ...