A pro-government columnist accuses the left-wing of celebrating the government’s retreat from its previous strategy by turning to the IMF. She believes the current economic hardships are the result of the irresponsible policies of the former governments, whose supporters are now cynically feasting on the failure of Orbán’s strategy. READ MORE
Analysts usually sharply critical of the government’s economic policies suspect that the Hungarian government has no real intention of cooperating with the IMF, but wants to buy time to calm the markets instead. One liberal commentator does not exclude the eventual collapse of the Forint as a result of an American attempt to topple Orbán’s government.
Left-wing commentators consider Hungary’s intention to resume talks with the IMF as sufficient reason for the prime minister to resign, although they don’t believe he will. A pro-government and anti-IMF commentator describes the government’s move as an act of capitulation. READ MORE
Commentators wonder whether the mass meeting held under the slogan “We don’t like the system” will give birth to a new left wing opposition, or if it was a one-off event. READ MORE
Left and right both accuse each other of appropriating and falsifying the message of the 1956 revolution. Right-wing pundits call for historical justice, while left-wing commentators think the government is abusing the anniversary to vilify the opposition. READ MORE
The broad Hungarian opposition scene is waiting for a newcomer with the necessary ‘X-factor’ to defeat the governing Fidesz party at the next general elections – writes political analyst Ferenc Kumin. He challenges in his blog a colleague who has spotted possible contenders among the leaders of last weekend’s anti-government demonstrations. (X-factor is a singers’ contest broadcast by a commercial TV-channel.) READ MORE
Left-wing commentators believe that last weekend’s demonstrations were just the beginning of a protest season against government policies, while others suggest that the street actions did not even help the opposition parties. READ MORE
Journalists and political analysts of both leftist and conservative inclinations wonder who might emerge as a rival to Viktor Orbán either as prime minister or as right-wing leader. The centre-right governing coalition is losing support, but the opposition parties have failed so far to increase their own popularity. READ MORE
Commenting on the main figures of next year’s budget, Népszabadság pokes fun at the government’s assurances that no restrictions are being imposed. A right wing commentator fears that the rigorous fiscal policy outlined by the Minister of the Economy will prove costly in terms of voters’ support. READ MORE
A left-wing liberal commentator argues that the Orbán government has to choose between bad and worse policy options, because it set out on the wrong economic track in the first place. To reverse certain controversial policies would cause a loss of face, while to continue with them would only prolong the stagnation and postpone consolidation. READ MORE