Népszabadság ponders revolution
Wednesday, December 26th, 2012A leading left-wing columnist regards any revolutionary option as uncivilised, but wonders if there is a way to oust Fidesz from power without resorting to violence. READ MORE
Christmas day ruminations
Tuesday, December 25th, 2012A left-wing commentator looking back on the past two and a half years claims that the Orbán government has created a severe economic and moral crisis in the country. His pro-government counterpart, on the other hand, accuses the left of pushing the country towards an economic, institutional and moral quagmire. READ MORE
Government to rewrite higher education reform
Monday, December 17th, 2012In the wake of a week-long series of student protests, the main pro-government daily urges new policy priorities. READ MORE
Guessing Orbán’s strategy in negotiations with the EU
Monday, November 26th, 2012The leading pro-government daily welcomes the failure of the EU summit as a sign of democracy and good news for Hungary, while its left-wing counterpart accuses PM Orbán of selfishness. An influential economist says that although the EU’s growth forecasts are biased against Hungary, the government has to make efforts to convince Brussels anyway. An independent centrist outlet suspects that once the EU lifts the excessive deficit procedure the government will be free to start spreading money around immediately before the 2014 elections. READ MORE
LMP’s decision not to join Together-2014 draws criticism and praise
Tuesday, November 20th, 2012While centre-left columnists find the decision self-destructive, and suggest that it plays into the hands of Fidesz, centre-right bloggers celebrate it as a triumph of principles over political pressure. Some analysts forecast a split in the party, while others claim it was high time for LMP to decide where it stands. Major right-wing papers have not commented on the decision as yet. READ MORE
Government taking over municipalities’ debt
Tuesday, October 30th, 2012The leading leftist daily says a partial government bail-out was inevitable but the banks that funded Hungarian local governments are unlikely to recover all their money. READ MORE
Antagonistic messages dominate 1956 anniversary
Thursday, October 25th, 2012Commentators across the political spectrum assess the speeches of PM Orbán and former PM Bajnai in the light of the 2014 election. Both left and right-wing columnists wonder if Bajnai can succeed in uniting moderates, socialists, greens and liberals dissatisfied with the Orbán government. READ MORE
October 23, one day when tabloid journalism does not dominate
Wednesday, October 24th, 2012The “distance duel” between the two heroes of the two opposing camps on the anniversary of the 1956 revolution shoots mainstream politics into the top TV news, if only for a few days. READ MORE
Commentators weigh up the weaknesses of opposition and government
Monday, October 22nd, 2012Analysts are busy assessing how much credibility the government has lost due to its two successive adjustment packages, and whether the divided opposition will be able to capitalize on the Prime Minister’s supposed weakening. READ MORE
Reactions to Orbán’s visit to Germany
Saturday, October 13th, 2012Following the Hungarian Prime Minister’s talks with Angela Merkel, a pro-government daily warns against harsh condemnation of Germany in the right-wing media, as Berlin is an ally and “closer than we think.” In a short editorial Népszabadság suggests that in order to measure the results of Orbán’s visit we will have to count Hungary’s share of the EU’s cohesion and structural funds. READ MORE