Hungarian officials and businessmen banned from entering US

As the US bans a number of unnamed Hungarian state officials and businessmen from entering the US, left-wing and liberal columnists contend that the US wants to teach what they call the corrupt and increasingly pro-Russian Orbán government a lesson. Conservative pundits believe that the US wants to set an example and send the message that it does not tolerate any deviation from its foreign policy line or any violation of its financial interests. READ MORE

PM Orbán briefs Hungary’s ambassadors

Népszabadság thinks Hungarian diplomats in the world will have a hard time explaining the policies of their government because they depart from the international consensus. Magyar Nemzet, on the other hand, suggests that Hungary has to get rid of ideological constraints and be pragmatic in her choices, but the fact that the country belongs to the Western world remains unquestionable. READ MORE

Sino-Hungarian summit in Beijing

Commentators agree on the importance of broadening business ties with China, but left-wing analysts criticise the political overtones of the Prime Minister’s visit to Beijing. READ MORE

US-Hungarian friction

A left-wing commentator believes that the Hungarian government criticizes the US in order to strengthen its anti-Western image before the April elections. Right-wing columnists are displeased with Senator McCain’s comments on Hungarian affairs. READ MORE

Right-wing columnist criticizes prospective US ambassador

A conservative columnist known for his frequently critical remarks on US foreign policy accuses the prospective US ambassador to Budapest of infringing upon Hungarian sovereignty with her critical sentences about the state of democratic checks and balances in Hungary. READ MORE

Welcoming the new US Ambassador to Hungary

Pundits across the political spectrum believe that Colleen Bradley Bell, the new US Ambassador to Hungary will form a rather dim picture of Hungary and its government if she gathers information from the US press before taking up her post. READ MORE

U.S. Embassy condemns Horthy celebration

A pro-government daily suggests that the warning issued by the US Embassy in Budapest over the Horthy statue amounts to interference in Hungarian politics. An opposition commentator blames the government for what he calls a new low in Hungarian-American relations. READ MORE

Magyar Nemzet on the PM’s speech on foreign policy

A right-wing columnist cautiously suggests that Hungary cannot afford to be at odds with the European Union and should avoid becoming marginalised. READ MORE

PM Orbán briefs Hungary’s ambassadors

Népszabadság accuses the Prime Minister of defending his own personal power on the pretext of safeguarding national sovereignty, while Magyar Hírlap finds the government’s left-wing critics guilty of undying subservience to foreign governments. READ MORE

Historic Hungarian-Serbian reconciliation