Liberal pundits criticize both Right and Left for not confronting policies which they see as targeting the Roma who live in poverty. A Minister is criticized for his “unfortunate” statement on the Roma Holocaust. A Dutch-Hungarian psychologist calls for the publication of Hungarian crime statistics by ethnicity. READ MORE
The leading left-wing daily accuses the floor leader of the MSZP of obstructing the agreement on a joint left-wing mayoral candidate. A pro-government columnist suggests that the latest candidate for the Left lacks the expertise needed to run Budapest. READ MORE
A left-wing columnist finds it disappointing that politicians across the board twist the rules in order to gain immoral benefits. He believes that unless the Left learns to play by the rules, it cannot credibly accuse the government of corruption. READ MORE
The press and the internet are literally aflame with passionate comments on the Prime Minister’s announcement that he is about to build an “illiberal state”, since liberal democracy is in decline, as a result of the financial crisis of 2008. READ MORE
Analysing the Prime Minister’s speech on Saturday at the Fidesz sponsored traditional summer “free university” in Transylvania, commentators disagree on whether Mr Orbán has opted for an authoritarian model of government or just intends to increase the role of the government in promoting growth and competitiveness. READ MORE
Left-wing and liberal columnists accuse the government of rewriting the Budapest municipal election rules in order to secure their victory at the October election, and the Constitutional Court of assisting the government in what they consider as a limitation of basic rights. A conservative analyst contends that the new rules will make the governance of Budapest more effective. Another suggests that accusations of malpractice against the government is a sure sign that the Left anticipates another defeat. READ MORE
Analysts wonder if it makes sense to increase public ownership in the banking sector. A pro-government commentator welcomes the decision, which he believes will help the economy, while a left-wing columnist warns against spending public money to consolidate MKB. READ MORE
As the Monetary Council lowers the base rate to a historic low and announces the end of the easing cycle, columnists on both left and right acknowledge that Central Banker Governor Matolcsy’s bold and often criticized steps have proven valid. READ MORE
The leading left-wing daily accuses the government of arrogance and the falsification of history, as the monument commemorating the victims of the 1944 Nazi occupation of Hungary is completed. A pro-government columnist, on the other hand, believes that the memorial is a good visualization of the national tragedy caused by the loss of its sovereignty, without whitewashing Hungary of its own historical responsibility. READ MORE
As the Socialist Party elects József Tóbiás as its new Chairman, left-and right-wing analysts continue to lambast the MSZP and DK for supporting a former local police chief as candidate for Miskolc mayor who is widely criticised because of his controversial remarks on Roma crime in the city. READ MORE