Lajos Simicska’s war on Fidesz

A pro-government commentator and a political analyst ponder the implications of the coordinated attack by media mogul Lajos Simicska and Jobbik on PM Orbán. READ MORE

Népszabadság saga rolls on

A pro-government pundit accepts the explanation that Népszabadság had to be closed down out of financial considerations. He feels bad at the same time because his left-wing colleagues have lost their jobs. Nevertheless he does not regret the disappearance of the former Communist Party daily. READ MORE

Simicska to ally with Jobbik?

The leading left-wing daily suspects that Lajos SImicska, a former ally of PM Orbán will openly support and help Jobbik in an effort to defeat Fidesz. READ MORE

Index and Népszabadság for sale?

Widespread rumours that Lajos Simicska will buy Index and that a pro-government consortium plans to take over the main left-wing daily prompt a right-wing analyst to suggest that Index will be put at the service of Jobbik. READ MORE

Friction over Budapest advertising columns

A left-liberal weekly accuses the government of abusing its power, as the Budapest Municipal Council removes advertisement columns owned by Lajos Simicska. READ MORE

TV2’s new ownership contested

As two rival tycoons claim to have bought Hungary’s number two commercial television company, analysts tried to disentangle the legal maze surrounding the matter. READ MORE

Jobbik increases its support

Commentators both on Left and Right believe that the campaign by media mogul Lajos Simicska against Fidesz has helped Jobbik to increase its popularity. READ MORE

Weeklies on Simicska’s accusations

Left-wing magazines point out how damaging the charge levelled against the Prime Minister by his former close ally is. Liberal pundits think the uncertainty about former real or imagined police informants should have been settled long time ago by publishing all Communist secret service files, while right-wing commentators call Mr Simicska’s allegations sheer slander. READ MORE

PM Orbán’s ’State of the Nation’ address

Discussing the Prime Minister’s annual speech to his followers, commentators wonder if his exhortation to work and fight harder will be sufficient to reinvigorate the increasingly sluggish Fidesz electorate, which, despite the defeat of a pro-government candidate in last week’s by-election, is still incomparably stronger than its competitors.

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Further ruminations on Simicska

A pro-government analyst suspects that media mogul Lajos Simicska, a former friend and close ally of PM Orbán may have orchestrated the recent campaign against government politicians. Left-wing columnists wonder if Mr Simicska should now be seen as a reborn democrat, or an oligarch defending his financial interests. READ MORE