A centrist blog finds it controversial that the US and American intellectuals like to accuse the Hungarian government of curbing democracy, but at the same time do not mind if a racist organization holds a conference in a Washington government building. READ MORE
As PM Orbán praises the ideals of Christian Democracy, the leading left-wing daily accuses him of betraying its core principles. A pro-government columnist, on the other hand, believes that the Fidesz-KDNP coalition has a coherent ideological vision. READ MORE
A centrist analyst maintains that PM Orbán is not a dictator, but rather a highly professional politician who is unlikely to be defeated by the current Left. A liberal pundit replies by pointing out that in 2002, Orbán was defeated by Péter Medgyessy, who was considered to be an unprofessional politician. READ MORE
Left-wing commentators accuse the Prime Minister of intending to make it impossible for the Left to return to government by continuously tinkering with electoral rules. A right-wing columnist suggests that in order to make the defeat of the Left definitive, right-wing intellectuals must improve their performance. READ MORE
Following NATO’s decision to set up rapid response force bases in Eastern Europe, left-wing commentators believe that the Orbán government will have to join the West and stand up to Russia.
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A conservative commentator contends that former PM Gyurcsány’s proposal to unite the Left within a single party cannot be taken seriously. READ MORE
A left-liberal writer thinks the government has managed to baffle the opposing camp by decorating Nobel Prize winning author Imre Kertész. His conservative counterpart believes this was a win-win game for both sides and a contribution to bridging deep-set divisions. READ MORE
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
A left-wing commentator believes that a new cold war is breaking out between Russia and the West, and Hungary cannot continue a foreign policy which involves sleeping in both camps. A conservative analyst warns that a compromise between the great powers is becoming ever more unlikely as time passes. Another pro-government commentator calls for the lifting of EU sanctions against Russia. READ MORE
Looking back on the 1989 Pan-European Picnic, a pro-government commentator contends that at the time, Hungarians had unrealistic hopes about the transition. He also believes that the West should show more respect towards Hungarian sovereignty. A left-wing columnist accuses PM Orbán of knocking liberal democracy again. READ MORE