A conservative liberal political analyst finds it highly unlikely that former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány’s new party will attract moderate conservatives disappointed by the current centre-right coalition. READ MORE
Pundits across the political spectrum have recently been preoccupied with the question whether a broad coalition on the left could successfully replace Fidesz at the next election. Left-wing commentators warn that electoral success alone would not amount to victory, since a too broad anti-Orbán alliance without a clear vision would not be able govern the country. READ MORE
Journalists and political analysts of both leftist and conservative inclinations wonder who might emerge as a rival to Viktor Orbán either as prime minister or as right-wing leader. The centre-right governing coalition is losing support, but the opposition parties have failed so far to increase their own popularity. READ MORE
A left-wing liberal commentator argues that the Orbán government has to choose between bad and worse policy options, because it set out on the wrong economic track in the first place. To reverse certain controversial policies would cause a loss of face, while to continue with them would only prolong the stagnation and postpone consolidation. READ MORE
Commentators, including right-wing business analysts, find few kind words for a planned legislation, which would allow individuals who are heavily indebted in foreign currencies to pay off their mortgages at much improved exchange rates. The government’s idea to introduce a new luxury tax is received more kindly, although it will have to be approved by the European Union before it can be implemented. READ MORE
First reactions are rather critical to a Fidesz proposal to help struggling borrowers pay off mortgages denominated in foreign currencies at favourable exchange rates. READ MORE
A liberal conservative political analyst argues that the primary enemies of democratic institutions are not Fidesz and Jobbik, as left wing pundits suggest, but the general public indifference, which is partly a legacy of the pre-1989 era, but also a sign of the paralysis of the opposition parties. READ MORE
The latest left-right controversy has been sparked by an initiative of the Parliamentary majority to find ways to sue those politicians responsible for Hungary’s deep indebtedness. Left wing commentators believe that political mistakes cannot be criminalised in a democracy. READ MORE
There is little sympathy in the media for the Fidesz MP who boasted that towns and villages which want to succeed in their applications for public funds should be on good terms with him. READ MORE
The Hungarian Parliament has passed the so-called “chips tax” on unhealthy food. The government expects Hungarians to lead healthier lives as a result, but the extra tax may also have a negative impact on Hungarian producers. Right-wing commentators also question why, if the government is so interested in improving our health, it withdrew plans to increase the tax on tobacco products. READ MORE