Népszabadság criticizes Prime Minister Orbán for unveiling and praising a Turul-sculpture, which the daily considers a nationalistic symbol. According to a pro-government commentator, that criticism shows that the left cannot tolerate feelings of national belonging. READ MORE
A staunch left-wing critic of the Orbán government ridicules the counter terrorism squad for assaulting a university campus and taking a student dressed up as a Jedi knight in custody. But the leading left-wing daily and a pro-government pundit believe that there is nothing funny about the episode. READ MORE
The dominant themes in Hungarian politics last week, the extradition of the Azeri murderer and the Prime Minister’s stance on the IMF talks are interpreted along political lines: commentators on the left call Orbán names including “traitor” and “liar”, while the premier’s supporters argue that critics on the left have no national feelings at all. READ MORE
Left-wing dailies accuse Mr Orbán of lying about the harsh conditions the IMF has allegedly set to start negotiations about a standby credit line for Hungary. Pro-government dailies, on the other hand, defend the Prime Minister’s resolve not to give in to IMF dictates and to prepare an alternative proposal. READ MORE
A pro-government analyst approves the Prime Minister’s idea that at least half of Hungary’s banking sector ought to be in Hungarian hands. READ MORE
A pro-government commentator dismisses a comment by Financial Times Deutschland which brands the government’s endeavour to buy back the German owned main gas supply network as “madness, populism and a return to Goulash-Communism”. READ MORE
A liberal conservative commentator criticizes PM Orbán’s plan to transform public utilities into non-profit businesses. According to Véleményvezér, the Premier wants to boost his support by opening up a new controversy with the EU. READ MORE
Sociologist Tibor Dessewffy, a former advisor to Ferenc Gyurcsány, believes that PM Viktor Orbán”s aim is the complete restructuring of Hungarian society. According to the left-wing pundit, the prime minister is attempting nothing less than a reshuffle of social classes, in order to entrench his power. READ MORE
A right-wing commentator praises the Orbán government for continuing Saint Stephen’s heritage by strengthening the Hungarian state. A left-wing columnist, on the other hand, accuses the government of betraying the legendary Hungarian king’s efforts to modernize the country, by weakening democracy and turning away from the West. READ MORE
The leading left-wing daily claims that worsening economic data may prompt Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to seek tighter control, in order to stave off electoral defeat. The pro-government daily presents the explanation of the Ministry of National Economy, according to which Hungary is doing better than some European neighbours. READ MORE