NGOs seen as accomplices of human traffickers

Hungary’s neo-conservative news site claims that the NGO rescue ships in the Mediterranean cause more deaths in their naïve efforts to save lives.

More on government vs watchdog NGOs

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.

Dispute over NGOs still in the headlines

Pundits across the political spectrum debate if and to what extent NGOs should be considered as political actors rather than independent organizations.

Dispute over ‘pseudo-NGOs’ heats up

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.

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.

Weeklies on electoral tinkering and the opposition

Critics of the government accuse it of unscrupulously manipulating electoral rules, while pro-government columnists dismiss such arguments as unsubstantiated and pitiful.

Weeklies on the government’s sovereignty protection campaign

As the government launches a national consultation on its differences with Brussels, asks Parliament to adopt a Sovereignty Protection Bill, and accompanies those two actions with a billboard campaign, opposition-leaning weeklies accuse it of acting against the national interest, while their pro-government counterparts argue that protecting national sovereignty is of ...

Weeklies on the planned ‘Sovereignty Protection Bill’

Although the exact content of the bill is unclear for the moment, commentators try to place it in the context of Hungary’s divergences with her Western allies.

Bitter rivalry prevents alliance among opposition parties

A left-wing guest-commentator urges opponents of the government to unite for next year’s elections.

Weeklies on the government’s concerns over sovereignty

Opposition-leaning commentators strongly condemn the government’s plans to sanction outlets and NGOs who accept financing from abroad, in what Fidesz leaders have called a move to protect Hungary’s sovereignty. Pro-government authors voice criticism of the attitude of the European Union towards Hungary.