No loud gasps were heard when Fidesz nominated its MEP János Áder as the candidate to succeed President Pál Schmitt.

Through its reform of the judicial system, the government has enacted changes that may potentially significantly impact judicial independence.

In light of last week’s events, President Pál Schmitt’s resignation on Monday came as a surprise.

With its proposal to fully release the files on informants working for the secret police under the communist regime, LMP has successfully driven a wedge between Fidesz and significant portions of the right-wing intelligentsia, as well as between the younger and older members of Fidesz’ and KDNP’s parliamentary factions.

After a tumultuous relationship in its first two years in office, Fidesz appears poised to reconcile with the banking sector.

While Fidesz’ standing among likely voters continues to be strong, it experienced a massive collapse among the population at large.

With their profligate ways, many governments have sown the seeds of potential penalties from Brussels on account of excessive budget deficits, but the Orbán-government is now most likely to reap the dire consequences.

Fidesz has promised that the spring session of parliament will be considerably more relaxed than the second half of 2011, when Parliament passed a record number of laws, many of which were controversial to boot.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán gave his annual state of Hungary address last week. He offered no new insights, but provided an extensive defence of the government’s policies.

After months of protracted debates within the government and between the responsible ministry and various social stakeholders, Parliament finally passed the reform of the higher education system.