Gyula Horn
Hungarian politician (1932–2013) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gyula Horn (5 July 1932 – 19 June 2013) was a Hungarian politician. He was the Prime Minister of Hungary from 1994 to 1998. He is best known for his role in Hungary's transition to democracy and his efforts to improve relations with neighboring countries.
This article does not have any sources. (October 2023) |
Gyula Horn | |
---|---|
Prime Minister of Hungary | |
In office 15 July 1994 – 6 July 1998 | |
President | Árpád Göncz |
Preceded by | Péter Boross |
Succeeded by | Viktor Orbán |
Member of the National Assembly | |
In office 2 May 1990 – 13 May 2010 | |
Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
In office 10 May 1989 – 23 May 1990 | |
Prime Minister | Miklós Németh |
Preceded by | Péter Várkonyi |
Succeeded by | Géza Jeszenszky |
Personal details | |
Born | (1932-07-05)5 July 1932 Budapest, Hungary |
Died | 19 June 2013(2013-06-19) (aged 80) Budapest, Hungary |
Political party | MSZP (1989–2013) |
Other political affiliations | MDP (1954–1956) MSZMP (1956–1989) |
Spouse(s) | Anna Király |
Children | Anna Gyula |
Signature |
Horn was born on July 5, 1932, in Budapest, Hungary. He studied economics at the Budapest University of Economics. He later worked as a journalist for the Hungarian Communist Party's newspaper, Népszabadság.
Horn became involved in politics in the 1960s. He quickly rose through the ranks of the Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party (MSZMP), which governed Hungary under communism. In 1989, he played an important role in negotiating the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Hungary and in facilitating Hungary's transition to democracy.
After the fall of communism, Horn was appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs under Prime Minister József Antall. In this role, he worked to improve relations with neighboring countries, including Romania, Slovakia, and Austria. He was also instrumental in Hungary's efforts to join NATO and the European Union.
In 1994, Horn succeeded Péter Boross as Prime Minister after his coalition won a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections. As Prime Minister, Horn continued his efforts to improve relations with neighboring countries and oversaw significant economic and social reforms.
Horn's government implemented a series of measures aimed at improving the country's fiscal position and promoting economic growth. These measures included the introduction of a flat tax system, the privatization of state-owned enterprises, and the creation of a modern social welfare system.
Horn's time as Prime Minister was not without controversy. His government faced criticism for its handling of social issues and for its alleged involvement in corruption scandals. Horn's government also came under fire for its response to the 1997 floods that devastated parts of Hungary.
Despite these challenges, Horn is widely regarded as an important figure in Hungary's transition to democracy and its emergence as a modern, market-oriented economy. His efforts to improve relations with neighboring countries helped to ease tensions in the region and paved the way for greater cooperation and integration.
Horn retired from politics in 2002 and returned to journalism. He died on June 26, 2013, at the age of 80. His legacy as a statesman and a champion of democracy and peace is widely recognized, both in Hungary and around the world.