A slip of the tongue

There is little sympathy in the media for the Fidesz MP who boasted that towns and villages which want to succeed in their applications for public funds should be on good terms with him. READ MORE

Is the state playing God?

A new Church Law has ignited fierce controversy in Parliament and the press – hardly surprising in a country where the relationship between the state and the churches has always figured highly in battles between right and left. READ MORE

Unanimous concern over far right victory

It is high time for mainstream parties to pull themselves together and face the gravity of the racial conflicts in rural Hungary – both right and left-wing commentators conclude from the election of a far right candidate as mayor of Gyöngyöspata, in Northern Hungary.

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Who pays for the free lunch?

Changes to the law which require work in return for welfare payments, are sharply criticised by left-leaning commentators. They suggest that the requirement is inhumane, and predict that the planned public work programme will prove costly and inefficient. A right-wing pundit writes that Hungary has no choice but to abolish unconditional benefits, because of the economic crisis. But a liberal journalist also welcomes public incentives which promote self-reliance. READ MORE

Can Hungarians be taxed back to health?

The Hungarian Parliament has passed the so-called “chips tax” on unhealthy food. The government expects Hungarians to lead healthier lives as a result, but the extra tax may also have a negative impact on Hungarian producers. Right-wing commentators also question why, if the government is so interested in improving our health, it withdrew plans to increase the tax on tobacco products. READ MORE

Is Fidesz running too fast?

During its first year in government Fidesz has passed an unprecedented number of bills, at record speed. One analyst, coming from the political centre, believes that driving like this may prove self-destructive. READ MORE

A common front with a brownish tint?

The debate over the electoral reform proposed by Fidesz continues with an editorial in Magyar Nemzet, which blames the left wing for seeking foreign support in order to oust the present government, rather than winning over  Hungarian voters. READ MORE

An alliance with the devil?

A green leader’s proposal that a “technical election alliance” be established between right and left wing opposition parties in order to revoke recent constitutional changes, finds little sympathy among media commentators, but some do not dismiss the idea out of hand. READ MORE

Debate over electoral reform

The presidium of Fidesz have unveiled their plan for electoral reform, prompting sharply opposed views in the press. Left wing analysts believe the reform is an attempt by the governing conservative party to ensure it will rule over Hungary forever,  while a pro-government commentator believes it could constitute the basis for free and fair elections. READ MORE

Media-bloodbath?

In the first right-wing press reaction to the latest job cuts in public-service media, the editor-in-chief of Magyar Hírlap warns left-wing critics that each time their own friends took over the reins of power for the past 17 years, an ideologically-motivated media purge followed. READ MORE