Left wing commentators are extremely critical of the measures announced by the Prime Minister and the Economy Minister on Tuesday. The right wing daily Magyar Nemzet reminds readers that it was the previous Socialist governments which ran the country so deeply into debt. READ MORE
A left-wing pundit ponders whether the country’s financial difficulties may encroach on the government’s two thirds majority in Parliament. He draws inspiration from an article by a right-wing colleague. READ MORE
Wednesday’s daily papers illustrate how left and right in Hungary hold diametrically opposed opinions, not only on the main issues, but even on what the main issues are. Both conservative and left-wing papers comment on the decision by the Constitutional Court to postpone a ruling on the nationalisation of compulsory pension funds, while the two right wing dailies carry editorials on an apparently arrogant private comment made by the liberal President of the National Bank three years ago. READ MORE
In the wake of the prime minister’s announcement of hard times to come, left-wing commentators demand that the government takes a long hard look at its own policies, while right-wing analysts are divided on the necessity of swift policy changes. READ MORE
A left wing pundit suggests that Hungary should follow the example of the United States and borrow from China to alleviate her financial difficulties. READ MORE
Commentaries marking Saint Stephen’s day turn invariably around some of the usual controversies which divide left and right: Hungary’s international image, internal ideological divisions and the economic policies advisable in today’s unfavourable world business climate.
Left-wing commentators fear that the government’s latest housing scheme will produce a suburban ghetto. The Ministry of Interior has announced plans to build new homes for families who can no longer service their debts. The first houses are to be built in a small municipality 30 kilometres from Budapest. READ MORE
Left wing commentators welcome the unequivocal warnings addressed to the Hungarian government by various Western sources, while right wing analysts deem accusations of anti-democratic tendencies directed at Hungarian leaders unfair. READ MORE
Opinions diverge on who is to blame for the plight of the hundreds of thousands of Hungarians struggling with mounting debts denominated in foreign currencies, mainly in Swiss Francs. But commentators agree that their problem is a threat to the country as a whole. READ MORE
It is little wonder that the Hungarian Socialists are in decline, writes the editor-in-chief of Heti Válasz, Gábor Borókai, given the short-sighted policies of their leaders since the late 1990s. His commentary comes in response to a statement by former MSZP president Ms Ildikó Lendvai and as a contribution to the ongoing debate about making former political leaders accountable. READ MORE