The leading left-wing daily speculates that the Paks nuclear plant construction deal with Russia serves only the interests of Moscow and entrepreneurs allied to Fidesz. Pro-government pundits, on the other hand, consider the agreement beneficial for the country, and accuse left-wing politicians of having used the Paks nuclear plant in the past to finance their own party and private business. READ MORE
A pro-government columnist claims that the pro-opposition media is distorting the message of Peace March organizers, because their planned rally is not about the expansion of the Paks Nuclear plant but about support for the government and a foreign policy that looks for balance between the great regional powers. READ MORE
The headlines in Hungarian weeklies illustrate a growing controversy over the planned addition of two Russian-made blocks to the existing Paks nuclear power station: “The scandal of the year” (168 óra); “Eastern Block” (Heti Világgazdaság); “The business of the year?” (Figyelő); “Hungary hooked by Putin” (Magyar Narancs); “Change of Roles in Kissidonia” (Demokrata); “Paks Vobiscum” (“Paks be with you”; Heti Válasz). READ MORE
Pro-government commentators welcome the nuclear deal between Hungary and Russia, and argue that it will serve the Hungarian national interest. Left-wing columnists, on the other hand, criticize the lack of transparency and the increased dependence on the Russian energy infrastructure which the agreement will cause. READ MORE
As the Hungarian state run energy company reaches agreement with Gazprom on plans for the South Stream pipeline, a leading left-wing daily contends that, in the dispute over the pipeline, PM Orbán has to find a delicate balance between Russia and the EU. 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
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
Commentators in Hungary suspect Russian plots and Croatian political interests behind the accusations levelled against the Chief Executive Officer of Hungary’s oil multinational. READ MORE