A left-wing columnist suggests that the National Bank will surrender its independence after the appointment of its new president next month. A conservative pundit doubts that the National Bank has much room to stimulate growth through monetary policy as hoped for by the government. READ MORE
Although the next election is scheduled for the spring of 2014, most observers believe the campaign is already underway. PM Orbán’s Fidesz-KDNP alliance leads the polls, but analysts do not rule out an opposition victory. READ MORE
Népszava’s commentator dismisses PM Orbán’s foreign policy as inconsistent and opportunistic, while Magyar Nemzet welcomes a new, pragmatic approach to Hungarian-Russian relations. READ MORE
The two leading dailies carry diametrically opposing assessments of the results of PM Viktor Orbán’s visit to Brussels. READ MORE
A centrist analyst asks whether Viktor Orbán has realized that closer economic ties with Putin might in fact further Russia’s political interests in the region. READ MORE
Commentators agree that the weakening of the Hungarian currency (HUF) was due to a statement by the Minister of the Economy. One cautions the PM against nominating him for the presidency of the National Bank. Other analysts think recent events have dealt several blows to the authority of the governing élite. READ MORE
Pro-government columnists suggest that the government has backed down elegantly, disproving the charges of arrogance and authoritarianism often levelled against it, while according to centrist and left-leaning analysts, the government tested the water of public feeling and realized it had too much to lose on the registration issue. READ MORE
Commentators across the political spectrum wonder why the exchange rate of the Forint declined in December. Pro-government analysts suggest purely external factors are responsible, while left-wing columnists blame the fall primarily on the government. READ MORE
A conservative liberal blogger looking back on the past year contends that despite efforts aimed at a wholesale reform, the government has failed to discontinue some unfortunate practices. READ MORE
A conservative columnist again cautions the government against acting without consulting the wider public. He believes that cooperation and negotiation would make public policy more efficient and the governing party more popular.