MNB extends cheap loan programme
Monday, September 16th, 2013Analysts across the political spectrum ponder the possible implications of the National Bank’s extended lending program, which aims to stimulate economic growth. READ MORE
Archive for the ‘Népszabadság’ Category
Ruminations on sexist statement in Parliament
Saturday, September 14th, 2013Commenting on a crude statement made by a Fidesz State Secretary, left-wing pundits accuse the right-wing politician of fomenting male chauvinism and sexism. A pro-government columnist also criticizes the vulgar tone used by MP Illés, but finds the left-wing outcry over the impolite words somewhat hypocritical and overblown, nonetheless. READ MORE
Inflation at 39 year low
Friday, September 13th, 2013The leading left-wing daily contends that despite the record low overall inflation rate, Hungarian families have to spend more on basic goods. A pro-government columnist, on the other hand, believes the low inflation rate proves that the government is on the right path. READ MORE
Socialist turn down Gyurcsány and Liberals
Thursday, September 12th, 2013Commenting on the breakdown of the negotiations among left-wing parties, commentators suggest that the absence of a broad left-wing coalition plays into the hands of Fidesz. READ MORE
Utility tariff cuts as campaign tools
Tuesday, September 10th, 2013Commenting on the government’s plan to transform the energy and utility providers into non-profit services, a left-wing and a centrist columnist accuse the government of welfare populism. A right-wing pundit, on the other hand, believes that the Socialists want to increase their popularity by creating a fully welfare dependent constituency. READ MORE
Romania 3, Hungary 0 – the political overtones
Monday, September 9th, 2013A pro-government paper criticizes The New York Times for overemphasizing the tension caused by extremist Hungarian fans, or ultras, without reporting on similar incidents on the Romanian side. The leading left-wing Hungarian daily reminds readers that no one outside Hungary expected the national team to win and the government was rather late in warning Hungarian fans to abstain from wrongdoing. A transborder Hungarian writer describes how harmful the ultra’s behaviour will be for Hungarians in Transylvania. READ MORE
The pitfalls of forex-based mortgages
Thursday, September 5th, 2013A liberal analyst says the greatest problem Fidesz faces in the upcoming campaign is how to handle hundreds of thousands of voters with forex mortgages who can no longer be won over with expressions of sympathy and solidarity. A left-leaning commentator disagrees and foresees further verbal manoeuvring to appease angry mortgage holders. READ MORE
Opposition electoral pact under scrutiny
Monday, September 2nd, 2013Left-wing commentators hope the agreement will put an end to destructive rivalry within the Left; liberal pundits are sceptical; professional analysts think Bajnai must now prove his ability to attract undecided voters if he wants the alliance to have a chance, while pro-government columnists are divided on whether or not the government can now lean back and consider next year’s election a mere formality. READ MORE
Left-wing electoral pact
Saturday, August 31st, 2013In their first reactions to the agreement suddenly clinched by opposition leaders after a painful clash last week (see BudaPost, August 26 and 27), left-wing commentators are cautiously optimistic about the chances of the new alliance. READ MORE
Forex debtor rescue plans – the left-wing angle
Thursday, August 29th, 2013Figyelő fears that the rescue scheme may encourage debtors to default. Népszabadság warns that imposing excessive burdens on banks will harm recovery. READ MORE