Népszabadság thinks the future Hungarian Commissioner is an unprincipled man who dissociated himself from the government he has served for 4 years in order to get a seat in the European Commission. Magyar Nemzet writes that Tibor Navracsics kept his composure throughout the tough hearing. READ MORE
A left-wing analyst remarks that in its campaign ahead of Sunday’s municipal elections the radical right wing party is using a more moderate tone. He suggests that the softening of rhetoric is not just a tactical weapon but reflects a change in Jobbik’s social background. READ MORE
Analysts on the Left debate whether the left-wing parties should or could support Lajos Bokros as candidate for Budapest mayor despite his neoliberal economic ideas. The leading left-wing daily predicts that after the municipal elections, a new round of intra-Left battles will unfold. READ MORE
As PM Orbán praises the ideals of Christian Democracy, the leading left-wing daily accuses him of betraying its core principles. A pro-government columnist, on the other hand, believes that the Fidesz-KDNP coalition has a coherent ideological vision. READ MORE
After President Obama mentioned Hungary alongside Egypt as a county which intimidates NGOs, Népszabadság warns that those remarks were only the beginning and the worst is still ahead. Heti Válasz believes that the NGOs concerned are in reality liberal political activists, but condemns demonstrations of force against them. READ MORE
A liberal pundit fears that hepatitis and AIDS may spread in Budapest as the right-wing mayor has withdrawn support from a drug users’ contact point in his district. His right-wing colleague finds the liberals guilty of fear-mongering. READ MORE
Commentators both from left and right agree that the Scottish referendum was a victory for democracy. They also believe that despite the failure of the Pro-Independence movement, Scotland will enjoy more autonomy in the future. Right-wing columnists suggest that the referendum sets an example for other national minorities, including ethnic Hungarians in the neighbouring countries. READ MORE
A Marxist pundit expresses his complete lack of surprise if at the October local elections, the Left receives its third consecutive blow from voters this year. The Left’s unpopularity is due to its inconsistent politics, he suggests, and without a complete overhaul, it has no chance to regain its strength.
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A conservative columnist welcomes the government’s plan to amend the criminal code so that child abuse becomes prosecutable without limitation. A liberal commentator, on the other hand, fears that child abuse accusations will be increasingly misused to discredit innocent people.
Columnists commenting on the weekend Swedish and Brandenburg elections agree that the rise of the far-right is inevitable even in western European countries which were not hit hard by the economic crisis. The growing popularity of far-right radicalism is a good reminder for moderate parties that they should pay more attention to growing inequality and lack of opportunity. READ MORE