Népszabadság understands why the police are concerned about what form spontaneous protests may take. In the same issue it condemns a far-right dominated student body for keeping files on students. READ MORE
Commentators wonder if after their surprising success late last year, students protesting new austerity measures will be strong enough to keep the government at bay during the spring. READ MORE
Commenting on the preliminary agreements between the Ministry of Human Resources and protesting teachers’ trade unions and student organisations, Népszabadság believes the government has managed to divide the protest movements which forced it to retreat before the Christmas holidays. READ MORE
Commentators agree that the weakening of the Hungarian currency (HUF) was due to a statement by the Minister of the Economy. One cautions the PM against nominating him for the presidency of the National Bank. Other analysts think recent events have dealt several blows to the authority of the governing élite. READ MORE
In an unusually bitter column, a pro-government columnist urges the government to reconsider its higher education reforms in order to give the children of poor families access to free tuition. READ MORE
Left-wing analysts suggest that the student demonstrations of the last two weeks have signalled the beginning of the end for the governing right wing. A conservative pundit suspects that left wing forces are trying to manipulate the student movement. READ MORE
Népszabadság believes the tuition issue will leave a lasting stain of shame on the image of the Prime Minister. Magyar Nemzet suggests that continuing demonstrations after the substantial concessions made by the government may backfire on the organisers. READ MORE
An independent columnist believes the higher education reform has been improvised and ill-prepared, but by withdrawing it the government would just sweep the dust under the carpet. He believes politicians on both sides tend to chase cheap popularity and thereby progressively weaken Hungary’s competitiveness. READ MORE
A leading pro government columnist likens the current student demonstrations in Hungary to what happened in France in 1968 and warns the students that the organisers of this year’s “peace marches” (mass rallies in support of the Fidesz government) won’t hesitate to call for a third one if the need arises. READ MORE
In the wake of a week-long series of student protests, the main pro-government daily urges new policy priorities. READ MORE