Football’s role in politics

A liberal writer describes Viktor Orbán’s interest in and support for Hungarian football as symbolic elements of a mafia-style leadership, while a libertarian commentator thinks the Premier sincerely believes that his favourite game is an essential part of nation-building which was destroyed by the Communists. A conservative columnist writes that liberal commentators try to discredit Orbán’s government with various references to history, instead of trying to understand its nature. READ MORE

Speaker Kövér’s ‘rule by decree’ case

Commenting on the Speaker of Parliament’s recent radio interview, left-wing columnists accuse Mr. Kövér of proposing the revival of a rule by decree system. Conservative pundits as well as a group of left- liberal constitutional lawyers say that Mr. Kövér had no undemocratic intentions, and agree that the current legislative practice is far too bureaucratic. READ MORE

Ruminations on the Manning verdict

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

Reflections on the EU-Hungary tug of war

A conservative commentator ponders the debate on the Tavares report in the European Parliament and believes that the Hungarian government should show more restraint in its use of the two thirds majority. READ MORE

Reactions to the Tavares report

Left-wing pundits contend that the government is trying to downplay external criticism by labeling its adversaries as biased left-wing partisans. They also hint that as a result of the looming elections in the EU and Hungary, the debates between the country and the EU institutions will probably intensify. READ MORE

Reding accused of plotting against Hungary

A left-wing commentator dismisses a report in the leading pro-government daily about an alleged EU-scheme to question the legitimacy of the 2014 election, as a classical conspiracy theory. A conservative pundit, on the other hand, suggests that whatever was actually discussed, meetings of top European politicians and the business elite behind closed doors weaken the democratic image of Europe. READ MORE

Magyar Nemzet on “unfair criticism by the US”

The leading pro-government daily appreciates the role of the United States as Hungary’s most important ally, but rejects critical remarks coming from Washington about recent developments in Hungary. READ MORE

Dark scenarios by Galamus

A left-liberal analyst believes PM Orbán can hardly be voted out of office. But he sees no solution either in his removal  by angry, discontented people. The only remaining option he can think of is a kind of coup d’état within the ruling élite.

READ MORE

EU committee report proposes procedures against Hungary

In their comments on the Tavares report on the Hungarian Basic Law, both left and right-wing pundits deem it highly unlikely that the EU will indeed sanction Hungary. READ MORE

Critics of Hungary criticised

Mária Schmidt accuses Hungary’s foreign critics of applying double standards. The conservative historian suggests that the widespread western criticism of recent legislative developments in Hungary is inspired by left-wing intellectuals who have not yet done their homework. READ MORE