Left and right-wing commentators find it equally absurd of a German literary jury to discard Hungarian writer Péter Nádas from the top candidates of the HKW prize for the best novel of 2023, despite his book being found to be the best. READ MORE
Although the regional elections in Bavaria and Hesse were won by the Christian Democratic parties (CSU and CDU respectively), commentators focus on the success of the anti-immigration protest party which came second in both regions. They refrain from calling the AfD a far-right party.
A pro-government weekly reports that the Hungarian side is preparing itself for possible international sanctions against Rosatom, the Russian nuclear power giant which at present is still in charge of the construction of Hungary’s second nuclear power station. READ MORE
Pro-opposition commentators accuse the government of condoning Russia’s aggression when it opposes the sanctions being imposed on Russia. Pro-government authors praise what they see as the only independent voice in Europe. READ MORE
A pro-government columnist accuses EP Deputy Speaker Katarina Barley of ‘imperial tactics’ for suggesting that the EU should withhold funding from Hungary. A left-wing commentator attributes the EU’s critical stance on Hungary to the government’s efforts to seek populist alliances abroad. READ MORE
A left-wing commentator accuses the Prime Minister of ‘doublespeak’. A pro-government blogger, on the other hand, finds Prime Minisnter Orbán’s messages both consistent and clear. READ MORE
A conservative commentator fears that German efforts to centralize the EU would weaken democracy. A left-wing columnist hopes that the EU will emerge stronger from the current crises – if it survives them. READ MORE
A conservative analyst finds the prospect of a prolonged war in Ukraine frightening and urges efforts to reach an early settlement. READ MORE
A pro-government analyst thinks that under Friedrich Merz, the CDU will return to its original conservative agenda that the party abandoned under Angela Merkel’s leadership. READ MORE
Right-wing analysts fear that the new left-liberal German government will harshly criticize Hungary and try to encroach on national sovereignty. Left-wing commentators are less than certain that Germany will become more critical of Hungary than under Chancellor Merkel. READ MORE