Pegasus spyware admittedly used in Hungary

A left-wing commentator is flabbergasted by the admission that the Hungarian authorities have in fact purchased the Pegasus spyware program.

Left-wing weeklies on Pegasus allegations

Liberal and left-wing weeklies take it for granted that the government used counter-terrorism spyware to monitor its critics.

Justice Minister resigns

Opinions diverge on whether Ms Judit Varga was dismissed by the Prime Minister or becoming an MEP will be the start of a new career for her.

Weeklies on the stakes in the April election

The two leading liberal weeklies urge the opposition to stand firm behind Péter Márki-Zay, despite his gaffes. A pro-government commentator fears that the national interest would be compromised if Fidesz loses. Another right-wing pundit speculates that foreign powers will intervene to help the opposition in the campaign.

Weeklies on the government’s referendum

Left-wing weeklies sharply dismiss the government initiative to hold a referendum on the sexual education of children as a pointless act of propaganda. A right-wing commentator only agrees with them on one point – namely that the plan should be read in the context of mutual efforts to mobilise supporters ...

Opposition protests the spyware scandal

Opposition news sites complain about the small number of demonstrators who joined the opposition march in Budapest on Monday. A pro-government analyst takes it as proof that the spyware scandal is a hoax.

PM Orbán calls referendum

A pro-government commentator welcomes the Prime Minister’s decision to call a referendum on the controversial child abuse legislation. A liberal columnist interprets the referendum as an act of ‘political paedophilia’.

Storm of accusations over spyware allegations

A prominent left-wing columnist and the leading pro-government daily give diametrically opposing interpretations of the Pegasus spyware scandal.

Government accused of using spyware

As the government stands accused of using spyware to monitor critical journalists and other individuals, a left-wing pundit likens PM Orbán to the dictators of the East. Pro-government commentators are skeptical that the government illegally tapped its critics.