After Saturday’s twin commentary on the subject, Népszabadság devotes an editorial, four opinion pieces and two online commentaries to the failure of the two main left-wing leaders to agree on how to choose a joint candidate for Prime Minister for next year’s elections. READ MORE
Commentators and analysts ponder whether a left-wing election alliance is still possible after negotiations between the MSZP and Together 2014 stalled and a bitter dispute erupted between the party leaders. READ MORE
Commentators from both the left and right agree that former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány has successfully stolen the show and managed to use the court hearing in a land swap deal to gain publicity and accuse his opponents of acting against national interest. READ MORE
Left-wing and liberal pundits harshly criticize the government’s bid for Dunaferr Steel Works after it announced the layoff of 1,500 employees. Critics suggest that renationalization will mean that taxpayers will have to shoulder the company’s losses. READ MORE
The main left-wing daily finds it disappointing that the opposition parties missed the opportunity of St. Stephen’s Day to spread their message at mass public events. READ MORE
According to a recent poll, 42 per cent of Hungarians believe in secret plots aimed at ruling their country from behind the scenes. Although Fidesz voters are less likely to buy these conspiracy theories than Socialist sympathizers, a left-wing commentator blames the government for the popularity of such views. READ MORE
A left-wing analyst says the protagonists of last week’s angry exchanges all need the conflict to boost their own political plans, but transborder Hungarians in Romania are the ones who will suffer. A liberal columnist, on the other hand, criticizes MSZP leader Attila Mesterházy for reacting to Băsescu’s statement with outrage instead of regarding it as a criticism aimed at PM Orbán. A centre-right columnist from Romania finds it strange that other transborder Hungarians, such as the Hungarians of Slovakia, are much less concerned with their own minority status than Hungarians in Transylvania. READ MORE
A left-wing commentator thinks the freeze is due to the semi-paralysis of the decision-makers, and predicts therefore that despite State Secretary János Lázár’s vow to overhaul the system of distribution of EU funds, inefficiency and incompetence will continue to rule. A pro-government analyst says Hungary is out of the recession with a meagre GDP growth for the second quarter in a row, but U funds are vital, as more investment – and jobs – will be needed for the people to benefit. READ MORE
Left-wing commentators wonder if the verbal confrontation between the Fidesz strongman and the most influential Hungarian businessman implies a deepening rift between Orbán and his former ally. READ MORE
Commentators find Romanian accusations against Hungary out of proportion with the controversial statements made by Hungarian politicians in Transylvania. A left-liberal columnist thinks even far right Jobbik leader Vona should not be denied the right to travel to and speak in Romania. A pro-government columnist, on the other hand, finds Romanian President Traian Băsescu’s attack on Fidesz, a former international ally, a breach of trust that only serves Băsescu’s presidential campaign. READ MORE