A left wing commentator accuses PM Orbán of using the flood to present himself as Hungary’s saviour, while his right-wing colleague deplores what he describes as another outpouring of hatred by the left wing, at home and abroad. READ MORE
As the record high floods were reaching their apex in Budapest, the dailies praised professionals and volunteers who fought the waters in exemplary unity. The Prime Minister was criticised for ignoring the Mayor of Esztergom during his presence in her city. READ MORE
Népszabadság suggests foreign companies may be convinced that Fidesz will win next year’s parliamentary elections – hence the readiness of some to sell their utility shares to the state. READ MORE
Commentators disagree on what lessons to draw from the post-World War I peace treaty. The interpretation of national history has always been one of the main dividing issues between left and right in Hungary. READ MORE
Commentators and political analysts ponder the prospects of the Hungarian economy and the chances of government projects as the country is likely to soon exit the EU excessive deficit procedure. READ MORE
Right-wing commentators celebrate Hungary’s exit from the EU excessive deficit procedure, which they interpret as an acknowledgment of the government’s performance. Left-wing pundits, on the other hand, believe that the EU pressurized Orbán into submission, and fear that the Hungarian economy will not grow any time soon. READ MORE
The leading left liberal daily contends that the government wants to silence its critics by imposing an advertisement tax on media outlets. A right-wing blogger wonders why the government is punishing Hungarian media companies rather then helping them. READ MORE
A left wing daily claims that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is bound to win the sympathy of the voters whether Brussels waives the excessive deficit procedure or not. A pro-government daily suggests that the EU has run out of excuses to keep a punitive measure in place, which in any case had more to do with anger with a country that defies orthodoxy yet remains successful. A business daily focuses on the new taxes to be introduced to meet the deficit target, and maintains that the planned tax on commercials and advertising revenue guarantees further control over the commercial media. READ MORE
A leading left wing commentator does not dismiss the story that former Prime Minister Gyurcsány’s 2006 “lie speech” was leaked by three leading MSZP politicians, but thinks that regardless of who it was, the speech itself has left an unhealing wound on Hungary’s left wing. A right-wing columnist suggests the story is untrue and the tip-off must have come from Mr Gyurcsány. READ MORE
In its first comment on the Prime Minister’s remark cautioning Germany “not to send the tanks in again”, the leading left-wing daily thinks Mr Orbán hurt Chancellor Merkel in her re-election-campaign, by providing the German Social-Democrats with arguments against her, for “cherishing such a snake in her bosom”. READ MORE