PÍTCAST PRO Pollster

Hungary faced growing economic difficulties under the communist regime, prompting calls for market-oriented reforms within the Hungarian Socialist Workers’ Party (MSZMP).

At the MSZMP Party Congress, reform-minded communists gained influence, allowing limited pluralism and criticism of the government’s policies.

Independent intellectual and civic groups such as the Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) and Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ) emerged, demanding democratic change.

Longtime leader János Kádár was replaced by Károly Grósz as General Secretary, signaling a shift toward gradual reform and political opening. Kádár dies in 1989.

The reburial of 1956 revolutionary leader Imre Nagy became a national event symbolizing reconciliation and the end of communist legitimacy.

On 23rd October 1989, Hungary officially became the Republic of Hungary, abandoning its communist constitution and embracing democracy and human rights.

Hungary held its first free parliamentary elections since World War II, resulting in victory for the Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) and the formation of the first democratic government.

The last Soviet troops left Hungary, marking the definitive end of communist influence and the full restoration of national sovereignty.

The Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP), successor to the Socialist Workers' Party (MSZMP), wins the parliamentary elections, forming a coalition government with the Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ).

Fidesz, led by the young Viktor Orbán, wins the parliamentary elections and forms a coalition government with the Independent Smallholders' Party (FKGP) and the Christian Democratic People's Party (KDNP).

Hungary becomes a member of NATO, marking a significant step in its integration into the Western political and security architecture.

The Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) surprisingly returns to power, forming a coalition government with SZDSZ.

Hungary becomes a member of the European Union, with 84% of voters favouring the proposal.

The MSZP wins the parliamentary elections again, but the victory is marred by widespread protests and after the leaking of the Őszöd-speech.

Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány resigns amid popular collapse of the MSZP and the Global Financial Crisis.

Fidesz-KDNP wins a two-thirds supermajority in the parliamentary elections, allowing it to implement significant constitutional and legal changes.

Fidesz-KDNP, led by PM Orbán maintains its dominance in Hungarian politics, winning subsequent elections in 2014, 2018, and 2022, amid controversies over democratic backsliding, widespread corruption, tensions with the European Union and closer ties to Russia.

President Katalin Novák resigns after scandal involving her in pardoning Endre Kónya, a former deputy director of an orphanage in Bicske who had been imprisoned due to his involvement in a pedophilia case implicating the orphanage's director.

The newly formed Tisza Párt, led by Péter Magyar rises in the wake of the 2024 European and municipal elections, positioning itself as the only opposition force against Fidesz-KDNP.