A pro-government commentator accuses Hungary’s international critics of serving the interests of a few dozen greedy private companies. A renowned British conservative philosopher thinks Hungary should reject foreign interference in her internal affairs. READ MORE
Left wing newspapers remain highly critical of the government’s economic policy and of Minister György Matolcsy personally, after a week which witnessed PM Viktor Orbán meeting EC President José Manuel Barroso, the IMF issuing its annual Staff Report and Mr Matolcsy facing the Economic Committee of Parliament. Pro-government columnists talk about relative successes and the cabinet’s intention to accomplish a shift in its policies. READ MORE
A leading left-wing analyst regards the introduction of tuition fees for Higher Education unavoidable, in order to improve quality. He finds the government’s reform of university financing unfair, nonetheless. READ MORE
A pro-Gyurcsány commentator believes that the MSZP should cooperate with its left-wing allies, instead of criticizing LMP and the Democratic Coalition, since only a broad coalition of the left-wing opposition can hope to defeat Orbán at the next election. READ MORE
A linguist welcomes the government’s proposal to restructure Higher Education in order to reduce the number of graduates who end up unemployed. He is, however, concerned about the probable but unintended consequences of the reforms, which he finds untimely and disproportionate. READ MORE
Liberal and left-wing analysts fear that the strengthening anti-EU rhetoric prevalent among the supporters of the government will in the long run play into the hands of the radical right. READ MORE
Commentators ponder what the actual meaning and possible consequences of Saturday’s pro-government rally will be. According to right-wing commentators, the Orbán government will start the negotiations with the European Commission and the IMF about a loan from a better position. Left-wing pundits believe the opposite. READ MORE
Commenting on Saturday’s large pro-government march in Budapest, a left-wing commentator recognises that government supporters are good at organising “revolutions”. Right wing analysts express diverging views on what Hungary’s attitude should be towards international investors and the European Union. READ MORE
A young independent commentator believes that those Western reporters who accuse the Hungarian government of trying to dismantle democracy base their opinions on the narratives of left-wing liberal intellectuals. READ MORE
Commentators agree that the debate on Hungary in the EP was of a low standard. A pro-government daily praises PM Viktor Orbán’s performance, while a left-wing commentator points out that that all MEPs followed their party lines. A centrist political analyst believes that it is still not certain that a compromise will be reached between the EU and the Hungarian government. READ MORE