Magyar Nemzet acknowledges that Hungarian far-right extremists do proselytise in Transylvania, but dismisses a claim by the Romanian Foreign Ministry that the Hungarian government should dissociate itself from Jobbik leader Vona’s statements. Népszabadság blames PM Orbán for exporting Hungarian party politics to Romania and setting an example for Jobbik’s absurd campaign. READ MORE
Népszabadság writes with relief about the role the Socialist Party spokesman played in getting the water restrictions lifted in Ózd, where Roma had to queue at roadside pumps in the record summer temperatures for several days. READ MORE
Commentators agree that justice has been done, but the investigation was too slow and the secret services could have prevented some of the racist and murderous attacks. There is no consensus, however, about the reasons behind the authorities’ poor performance. READ MORE
Left-wing commentators accuse the local council of playing to the anti-Roma gallery, as the capacity of roadside water pumps was reduced in Ózd, a rust-belt city in northern Hungary during the hottest days of summer. The main pro-government daily believes the left-wing opposition has used the case to launch a coordinated political campaign. READ MORE
Both national left-wing dailies compare PM Orbán’s plans to revive Hungarian football to Goulash-communism, the Hungarian version of Soviet-style socialism. The two pro-government newspapers celebrate the victories achieved by Hungary at the swimming world championship in Barcelona. READ MORE
Left-wing commentators fear that the rules of non-resident external voting will encourage fraud. They explore several scenarios of vote rigging and accuse the government of consciously leaving such loopholes in the legislation. READ MORE
Commentators across the political spectrum ponder the possible impact of the IMF loan repayment and the conversion of foreign currency-based mortgages into Forint credit. READ MORE
Both a left-wing and a pro-government columnist fear that a harsh prison sentence for Private Manning, found guilty of espionage and other charges could undermine democracy and press freedom. READ MORE
A conservative pundit warns against a selective conversion of loans denominated in foreign currencies. He proposes that the National Bank should step in and offer part of its foreign currency reserves to convert all FX household loans into Forint credits. READ MORE
A pro-government columnist welcomes PM Orbán’s decision to repay the IMF loan as soon as possible. The main left-wing daily, however, warns of the undesirable consequences of getting rid of the IMF. READ MORE