fovaros);
Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Budapest*, Csongrad,
Fejer, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok,
Komarom-Esztergom, Nograd, Pest, Somogy, Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Tolna, Vas,
Veszprem, Zala
Independence:
1001, unification by King Stephen I
Constitution:
18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949, revised 19 April 1972; 18 October
1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals and constitutional checks
on the authority of the prime minister and also established the principle of
parliamentary oversight
Legal system:
in process of revision, moving toward rule of law based on Western model
National holiday:
October 23 (1956); commemorates the Hungarian uprising
Executive branch:
president, prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (Orszaggyules)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court, may be restructured as part of ongoing government overhaul
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Arpad GONCZ (since 3 August 1990; previously interim President
from 2 May 1990)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Jozsef ANTALL (since 23 May 1990)
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Forum, Jozsef ANTALL, chairman; Dr. Lajos FUR, acting president;
Free Democrats, Peter TOLGYESSY, chairman; Independent Smallholders, Jozsef
TORGYAN, president; Hungarian Socialist Party (MSP), Gyula HORN, chairman;
Young Democrats, Gabor FODOR, head; Christian Democrats, Dr. Lazlo SURJAN,
president; note - the Hungarian Socialist (Communist) Workers' Party (MSZMP)
renounced Communism and became the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSP) in
October 1989; there is still a small (fringe) MSZMP
Suffrage:
universal at age 18
Elections:
President:
last held 3 August 1990 (next to be held August 1994); results - President
GONCZ elected by popular vote; note - President GONCZ was elected by the
National Assembly with a total of 294 votes out of 304 as interim President
from 2 May 1990 until elected President
National Assembly:
last held on 25 March 1990 (first round, with the second round held 8 April
1990); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (386 total) Democratic
Forum 162, Free Democrats 90, Independent Smallholders 45, Hungarian
Socialist Party (MSP) 33, Young Democrats 22, Christian Democrats 21,
independents or jointly sponsored candidates