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Out on the prairie or home on the range?

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

The leading left wing daily Népszabadság criticises Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for enshrining his economic policy in so called “cardinal acts”, and denounces his decision to finance Hungary’s debt-servicing from the financial markets, rather than negotiating with the IMF. READ MORE

Hungary, land of promises

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

Hungary has grown accustomed to overspending and over-borrowing, and its political parties have fed the population a diet of unrealistic welfare promises. But the leading conservative commentator believes the present government has chosen a new path. READ MORE

From mini-coups to open warfare

Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

Until recently, the Socialists were keen to keep their internal debates and conflicts in a more or less intellectual channel. But not any longer– writes Népszabadság, on the expanding political tensions within the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP). READ MORE

How to save the public health service?

Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

The exodus of young (and old) Hungarian doctors is reaching intolerable proportions. Young doctors are threatening to leave their posts en masse. A pro-government commentator understands their bitterness, but fears that their demands for pay rises are unrealistic. READ MORE

Party materialism

Monday, June 13th, 2011

What is at stake in the struggle for the leadership of the Socialist party is not so much which ideological line to follow, but rather who will control the financial and organizational resources of the party, a right wing commentator suggests. READ MORE

Local governments give up schools – churches take over

Monday, June 13th, 2011

Due to the financial squeeze and the falling birth-rate, local councils are being forced to get rid of the schools under their jurisdiction. Many are being taken over by various Churches. The weekly Heti Válasz, which  usually supports the Government, paints a rather dramatic picture of the school situation in Hungary. READ MORE

Success in a headwind

Sunday, June 12th, 2011

On Friday (10 June) Croatia was given the go-ahead by the European Commission to join the European Union, and is likely to become the 28th member in 2013. “Zagreb’s success belongs to Budapest too,” writes Magyar Nemzet, “this represents a huge step towards reaching one of the main goals of the Hungarian EU Presidency.” READ MORE

It’s getting hotter

Saturday, June 11th, 2011

Political tensions within the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) have become ever more visible in the last few days. “The party has set out on the road of political self-mutilation” suggests political analyst Gábor Török in his blog. Should the Socialists split, he concludes, the real winner would be the governing conservative party, Fidesz. READ MORE

War of the clowns

Saturday, June 11th, 2011

As public expenditure cuts spark protests among more and more categories of employees, including teachers, doctors, bus drivers and locomotive drivers, a pro-government commentator suspects that the protesting policemen are politically motivated. READ MORE

Stars and doughnuts

Friday, June 10th, 2011

One of the biggest stars in Hungarian football, Balázs Dzsudzsák signed for Anzhi Makhachkala on Thursday. Although the Dagestan club plays in the Russian Premier League, most commentators believe that this was a bad decision from the (now former) PSV Eindhoven player. READ MORE