The Parliament of Hungary abolishes the monarchy after nine centuries, and proclaims the Hungarian Republic.

The National Assembly of Hungary (Országgyűlés)

The National Assembly, known in Hungarian as the Országgyűlés (literally meaning 'Country Assembly'), stands as the paramount legislative body and the parliament of Hungary. This unicameral institution, meaning it comprises a single legislative chamber, is central to the nation's democratic governance.

Structure and Membership

Since electoral reforms enacted in 2012, the National Assembly consists of 199 members. This number represents a significant reduction from the 386 members who served between 1990 and 2014, a change aimed at streamlining parliamentary operations and potentially reducing costs. Each member is elected to serve a four-year term, ensuring a regular renewal of the legislative mandate from the Hungarian populace, with the most recent elections determining the composition of the body for the current legislative cycle.

Electoral System

The election of members to the National Assembly employs a sophisticated hybrid system, designed to balance direct representation with proportionality. This system combines elements of parallel voting with a compensatory mechanism via national party lists. Specifically, it involves:

Legislative Functions and Oversight

To effectively manage its broad legislative responsibilities, the Assembly is organized into approximately 25 standing committees. These committees play a crucial role in the parliamentary process, meticulously debating and reporting on all introduced bills. Beyond legislation, they also provide essential oversight, supervising the activities of government ministers and ensuring accountability. Furthermore, the Constitutional Court of Hungary serves as an independent guardian of the constitution, possessing the vital right to challenge any legislation passed by the Assembly on grounds of its constitutionality, thereby safeguarding the rule of law and protecting fundamental rights.

The Hungarian Parliament Building

Since 1902, the National Assembly has convened in the iconic Hungarian Parliament Building, situated majestically on the banks of the Danube River in Budapest. This Neo-Gothic architectural masterpiece, designed by Imre Steindl, is not only a symbol of Hungary's sovereignty but also one of Europe's largest parliamentary buildings, embodying centuries of Hungarian history and legislative tradition.


Frequently Asked Questions about the National Assembly

What is the Hungarian Parliament officially called?
The official Hungarian name for its parliament is the Országgyűlés, which translates literally to 'Country Assembly'.
How many members are in the Hungarian National Assembly?
Currently, the Hungarian National Assembly consists of 199 members. This number was reduced from 386 after electoral reforms implemented in 2012.
How are members of the Országgyűlés elected?
Members are elected through a hybrid electoral system that combines direct voting in single-member districts with a national compensatory party list system. Parties must secure at least 5% of the national popular vote to gain seats from their lists.
Where does the Hungarian National Assembly meet?
The National Assembly has met in the historic and architecturally significant Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest since 1902.

The Second Hungarian Republic (1946-1949)

The Second Hungarian Republic, officially known in Hungarian as the Magyar Köztársaság, was a parliamentary republic that existed for a brief, yet pivotal, period in Hungary's post-World War II history. Established on February 1, 1946, following the formal disestablishment of the Kingdom of Hungary, it was ultimately dissolved on August 20, 1949, giving way to the Hungarian People's Republic.

Genesis and Initial Challenges

This republic was proclaimed in the immediate aftermath of the Soviet occupation of Hungary at the close of World War II in Europe, which saw the Red Army's presence solidify Soviet influence in the region. The formal abolition of the Hungarian monarchy in February 1946, whose throne had been vacant since the end of World War I in 1918 (during which time Hungary was a kingdom without a king, ruled by a regent, Admiral Miklós Horthy), paved the way for this new republican form of government. The initial period of the Second Republic was characterized by an uneasy and often contentious coalition government. This coalition primarily comprised pro-democracy elements, most notably the Independent Smallholders' Party, and the Hungarian Communist Party. Despite the Independent Smallholders' Party securing a landslide victory in the free elections held in November 1945 (winning over 57% of the vote), the Soviet occupational authorities, exerting immense pressure, insisted that the Hungarian Communist Party be granted key positions within the new cabinet, crucially including the Ministry of Interior. Control over the Interior Ministry provided the Communists with command over the police and internal security forces, a strategic advantage they would soon exploit to consolidate their power.

The Rise of Communist Power: "Salami Tactics"

From their entrenched positions, particularly within the Interior Ministry, the Hungarian Communists began a systematic process of undermining and eliminating their political opponents. This insidious strategy, famously termed "salami tactics" by the Communist leader Mátyás Rákosi, involved the methodical removal of opposition figures and parties, segment by segment, through a combination of political intrigue, fabricated conspiracies, and judicial processes. Rákosi himself, who became the de facto leader of Hungary during this period and General Secretary of the Hungarian Communist Party, articulated this strategy as slicing off opponents "like slices of salami," one thin slice at a time until nothing remained.

By June 1947, the impact of these tactics became devastatingly clear. The Independent Smallholders' Party, despite its earlier electoral success, had been effectively gutted as a political force through mass arrests of its leaders, forced exiles, and trumped-up charges. The Communists had gained effective control of the government, leading to the installation of a compliant "fellow traveller" (a non-Communist who closely aligned with Communist policies), István Dobi, as Prime Minister, further solidifying their grip on power.

Consolidation of Control and Sovietization

The parliamentary elections in August 1947, widely criticized for widespread fraud and intimidation (often referred to as the "Blue-slip election" due to the Communist practice of allowing multiple voting by issuing fraudulent "blue slips" to supporters), saw an increase in the Communist Party's share of the vote. Nevertheless, non-Communist parties still collectively garnered a significant number of votes, comparable to their 1945 results. Undeterred, the Communists escalated their machinations and intrigues, systematically liquidating most of the remaining opposition parties within the subsequent year. This culminated dramatically in June 1948 with the forced merger of the Hungarian Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party of Hungary, forming the Hungarian Working People's Party. This new entity was, in essence, an expanded Communist Party operating under a new name, further erasing political pluralism and stifling all independent political activity.

Concurrently, the government embarked on comprehensive programs of nationalization, seizing control of key industries, banks, and major businesses as part of the broader Sovietization of the Hungarian economy and society. This marked Hungary's definitive entry into the Soviet sphere of influence, aligning its economic and political systems with Moscow's centrally planned model and laying the groundwork for a totalitarian state.

The End of the Republic

The gradual erosion of democratic institutions and the consolidation of Communist power reached its zenith in August 1949. On this date, the country was formally proclaimed the Hungarian People's Republic, with the Hungarian Working People's Party (the expanded Communist Party) established as the sole legal political party. This one-party system, a hallmark of Soviet satellite states, effectively ended the Second Hungarian Republic. This political arrangement, characterized by single-party rule and Soviet influence, largely endured, aside from the significant but ultimately suppressed uprising of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, until the peaceful dissolution of Communism in Hungary between 1989 and 1990, ushering in a new era of democratic transition.


Frequently Asked Questions about the Second Hungarian Republic

When was the Second Hungarian Republic established and dissolved?
The Second Hungarian Republic was established on February 1, 1946, and formally dissolved on August 20, 1949.
What were "salami tactics" in Hungary?
"Salami tactics" was a term coined by Mátyás Rákosi to describe the Hungarian Communist Party's strategy of systematically eliminating political opponents, segment by segment, through intrigue, fabricated accusations, and forced mergers, until only Communist power remained.
Who was Mátyás Rákosi?
Mátyás Rákosi was the de facto leader of Hungary during the consolidation of Communist power after World War II. He served as General Secretary of the Hungarian Communist Party and was instrumental in implementing "salami tactics" to establish one-party rule.
What succeeded the Second Hungarian Republic?
The Second Hungarian Republic was succeeded by the Hungarian People's Republic, which was formally proclaimed on August 20, 1949, establishing a one-party Communist state under Soviet influence.