Disunity on March 15th

A pro-government columnist accuses the opposition of representing foreign interests, while a left-wing commentator laments the lack of unity within the opposition in celebrations to mark the anniversary of the 1848 revolution.

In Magyar Nemzet, György Pilhál likens today’s controversies between the leaders of the European Union and the Hungarian government to the struggle for independence of Hungarians 175 years ago. He condemns the liberal opposition for being, as he sees it, subservient to foreign powers. However, he writes, ‘centuries of hopelessness have taught Hungarians not to tolerate shackles’.

In Népszava, Gábor Czene finds it sad that the disparate forces of the opposition decided to celebrate the anniversary by themselves, often at the same time. Prime Minister Orbán’s decision to make his speech outside Budapest, he believes, would have offered a golden opportunity for the opposition to stage a united show of force against the government in the capital. Perhaps, he writes, they realised the absence of that force, at least for the moment.

Tags: EU, March 15, opposition, Orbán