In the very first press reaction to the new opposition electoral pact, a liberal commentator finds it hair-raising that former SZDSZ chairman Gábor Fodor should have been given the fourth place on the joint ballot. READ MORE
Liberal columnists are highly sceptical about a new opposition pact which incorporates Ferenc Gyurcsány into Gordon Bajnai and Attila Mesterházy’s alliance. Some blame leading progressive intellectuals for interfering with the political process. In a lone optimistic column, a political analyst linked to the Socialist Party suggests that all is not yet lost.
Left-wing dailies express mixed emotions over the new opposition pact, fearing that time is too short to reach out to potential voters. A pro-government commentator thinks that by embracing Mr Gyurcsány as their future partner, Socialist Party chairman Attila Mesterházy and Together-2014 leader Gordon Bajnai have given up their quest for something different to the pre-2010 system of government. READ MORE
A veteran left-wing pundit suggests that defeating the current government must be a priority for competing opposition leaders and should induce them to set their rivalry aside. READ MORE
A radically liberal commentator accuses dominant left-wing opinion makers and the leading parties of anti-Gyurcsány bias as well of anti-democratic methods in their efforts to keep the leader of the Democratic Coalition outside the left-wing electoral alliance. READ MORE
A centrist analyst would not rule out the defeat of Fidesz at the next elections, but suggests that the opposition parties have their eyes on 2018 instead, and fight each other in the meantime for control over the Socialist constituency. READ MORE
A liberal analyst thinks Fidesz owes its comfortable lead in opinion polls to the weakness of the left-wing opposition. READ MORE
A leading liberal commentator believes that the joint celebration of the anniversary of the 56 revolution is just window-dressing, with the main opposition forces intending to ignore the leaders of minor groupings, while claiming the votes of their followers. READ MORE
Commentators on both the right and the left agree that the left-wing opposition parties have so far failed to find a proper campaign message. They are trying to boost their popularity instead by making irresponsible welfare promises. READ MORE
Left and liberal commentators go to war over Ferenc Gyurcsány and his DK’s importance in next year’s elections, with some claiming that support is increasing for his inclusion in the opposition alliance, while others point out that the former prime minister is a very difficult partner. READ MORE