Democratization in Hungary

Hungary is one of the democratic republics found in the Eastern Europe that begun the multi-party system of leadership in the 1980s. This is located to the South of Slovakia, South East of Austria, East of Slovenia, North West of Croatia, North of Serbia and Romania and South West Ukraine. The State was still under strong leadership of communist even up to 1980s when there was a strong push for human rights in the East-Central Europe.  The transition to multi_ part statehood was historically remarked a peaceful one in 1989.  We may however want to explore whether the democratization process had any incumbent impact in the history of this country.

The government of Hungary and its opposition held peaceful negotiations that set up agreeable parliamentary election terms by 1990 March that would serve to solve the problem of the ruling party systems influence in the judiciary, military or at places of work.  The nation had by December 1989, already registered about fifty political parties among which six had an appreciable support from the citizens. It was undisputable that Hungary had already made progress in democracy by the time the election took place in March 1990.
 
There was the formation of a coalition government in which the Hungarian Democratic Forum (HDF) with Jozsef Antall, the prime minister took power. However, the president was Arpad Gonsz chosen from the party of Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ). The selection of the president was based on the agreement and ruling of the negotiations between the ruling party and the opposition.

Hungary in 1983 had already come up with a law that would allow for multi- party system, with 352 seats of the parliament.  This law was further amended in the 1985 to reflect a more powerful and political parliament in future which would outweigh the government decision making.   The first step to the formation of a more liberalized system of governance in the state was attained through the formation of the Hungarian Democratic Forum (HDF) in 1987.  There was also the formation of the Federation of Young Democrats in 1988 which paved way for a youth oriented political group which would compete with the Communist Youth League which was already in existence.  The Network of Free Initiatives, was also formed on March 1988 with the aim of connecting some social groups of the liberals.  This competed fairly with the MDF in policy making debates as well as the organization of demonstrations.

This network, in 1988 changed itself into the Alliance of Democrats (SZDSZ), to strategize best on politics. The transformed political groups were favored by the reformers in the system because they were considered better in their orientation and appealing intellectually.  The environment within the reformed groups was liked most because of its provision for a wider room for expression of interests in large numbers within the party or in parliamentary seating as speculated.  The national assembly (1988) in return then made draft legislation against party reforms but allowing the association, strikes and assembly rights.  The tension between the press and government was now easing and there rights would be considered by mid 1989.

The more active evolution on the democratic formation struck in the mid 1988, when a conference named the MSZMP was headed in culminating in the replacement of the Party Secretary General, Jonas Kadar by Karoly Grosz. In addition, 8 members of Politburo who retired were replaced by six others.  Miklos Nemeth, an economist and a youth reformist became the head of Ministers Council.  Unfortunately, although the governing party had made some new reforms to suit the citizenry in Hungary by early 1989, it was terrified by the fact that they could no longer convince the citizens after along period of communists rule. Political dominance was now becoming history to the party.   This struck the party with new responsibilities of the formation of the draft constitution that would be used in March 1990 for the election proceedings.  Therefore, a meeting was held in February 1989, which would look in to the advancement on the political scene by strategizing appropriately with new mode of attack to the new parties so as to strike dominance over opposition parties during the forthcoming elections.

The change over drama by the Hungarians, at this time would only be effected through the reconsideration of the revolution of Hungary in 1956 which had resulted in the death of a prominent personalities Nagy. This resulted in numerous praises to the late Nagy, a former revolutionary by the Hungary communist who sought to use the leader as a sign of national reform hence commemorated on by an anniversary, a strategy used to develop the politics of the day. The leader and his followers were reburied and hundreds of thousands of Hungarians attend the ceremonies to pay homage to the revolutionaries as a sign of national healing from the effect of the revolution of 1956.

Now, the ruling party would use this time to address reforms in the country. For example, a moving speech given by Viktor Orban, an old representative of the FIDESZ, demanded troops of the Russians to be evacuated from the nations authority because they deserved a blame for only allowing the reburial of the former activist leaders to be done after thirty years of rule.  This being a heated campaign time, the government had no option but to finalize on the reforms required before the election time.

1990 was the election year set aside to breed changes in the nation and by that time, it was distinctively clear that all the opposition parties that were against communism had already ganged together in agreement that transition must have gone through. Additionally, due to the worrisome nature of the deteriorated economy and the high inflation rates, they would only support market economy and business privatization.  Most of the political parties took a firm stand in there politics in support for the adoption of new economic strategies for a future improved economic system in the country.  There was however an influx of new members is the opposition parties because they captured the public interest and preferences that would otherwise satisfy the desires of the members. A realization was later approved that the parties were more destined to tribalism membership and friendship than the policy development strategies and the satisfaction of organization. No wonder, the slogan by Gaspar Miklos, a free Democrat, that politics in Hungary was politics by tribe. This was a likely danger to the future of the nations unity.

Politics in Hungary was better shaped by the memorable 1945 free elections, the 1956 revolution, and 1968 tentative reforms. The communist regimes was fairly defeated in the election in March 1990 while a peaceful transition was felt as the formation of coalition leadership between the MDF party and others with the opposition being the MSZP party, SZDSZ party, and FIDESZ party.  In September 1990, the nation voted in the local and municipal authorities thus marking a full pledged leadership in place at Hungary.

The nation was now an independent state under the rule of law. Nevertheless, the law needed some amendments to deal with cases of past crime this was possible by 1991 when a bill was passed in the Hungarian parliament with a provision on the limiting factors to prosecuting individuals on civil crime. Hungary has since its democratic movement formation been credited for her respect for humanity as well as stability in politics. The constitutional court has made a step ahead especially in its progress and the strong upholding of distinctive respect for law.  The nation is recognized for its strife in the management of a peaceful transition unlike most of her neighbors who have not been able to achieve it due to political differences, tribalism and civil unrest.

Its however unknown if the process of democratization in Hungary is going to escape without a blame for there are some struggles in the division and definition of power roles of different organs in the society and the government.  The freedom of expression in the media is still problematic.  There are cases of tension form tribal and racial prejudice, violence and isolation of foreigners which beat the core rule of human rights and the no discrimination strategy in the State.  The political stability of the coalition leadership of the nation is likely to be deteriorating since the death of the former Prime Minister, Jozsef, in December 1993. Thus, there is a proposition that there is need for some quick reforms required.

Generally, it can be stated true that democracy in Hungary has significantly moved the nation steps ahead since it can only be compared with democracies in the West rather than the Eastern Europe.

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