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
Commentators from left to right believe that the EU is unlikely to lift the excessive deficit procedure imposed on Hungary, and agree that its motives are political. A pro-government commentator says there are foreign interests behind the pessimistic EU forecast, while both a left-wing editorial and a business columnist interpret the move as a warning to Hungary. READ MORE
Left-wing commentators accuse PM Orbán of challenging the common values that unite the 27 member countries of the European Union, while pro-government pundits argue that the Hungarian government is just defending the national interest. READ MORE
A centrist analyst predicts that “verbal war” between Hungary and the European Union is here to stay, but no real punitive sanctions are probable. READ MORE
A moderate pro-government weekly is proud of being the target of criticism from a leading Socialist MEP during Wednesday’s debate about the Hungarian Constitution in Strasbourg. It suggests, nevertheless, that Hungary should solve its judicial problems at home. READ MORE
A centrist blogger believes that the PM does not mind criticism from European leaders, but is unlikely to risk punitive sanctions from the European Union. READ MORE
A leading left-wing commentator criticises the Prime Minister’s explanation of the discontent expressed by European officials over recent legal developments in Hungary, while a Fidesz MEP thinks Hungary’s policies are being criticised because they do not fit into “the liberal consensus”. READ MORE
A left wing daily pokes fun at the government’s efforts to sort foodstuffs according to their national character, and thinks it would be more useful to label the regional or local origins. READ MORE
Former SZDSZ MP Tamás Bauer who is a professor of economics and serves as Vice-Chairman of Ferenc Gyurcsány’s Democratic Coalition (DK) party, believes it would be in Hungary’s best interest to be punished by the EU for what he calls the government’s ill-conceived economic policy and “autocratic” rule. READ MORE
A left-wing columnist believes European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Viviane Reding should resign after accusing the Hungarian justice system of political bias. READ MORE