The Hegedüs government led Hungary for eighteen months, spanning from April 18, 1955 to October 24, 1956. It officially operated as the Council of Ministers of the Hungarian People's Republic and was helmed by András Hegedüs, who served as the Chairman of the Council of Ministers.

Hegedüs cabinet

51st Cabinet of Hungary
Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Hungarian People's Republic András Hegedüs
Date formed18 April 1955 (1955-04-18)
Date dissolved24 October 1956 (1956-10-24)
People and organisations
Chairman of the Presidential CouncilIstván Dobi
First Secretary of the Hungarian Working People's PartyMátyás Rákosi (April 18th, 1955 - July 18, 1956)
Ernő Gerő (from July 18, 1956)
Chairman of the Council of MinistersAndrás Hegedüs
Deputy Chairmen of the Council of MinistersErnő Gerő
István Hidas
Antal Apro
Ferenc Erdei
György Marosan
Joseph Mekis
No. of ministers28
Member party  Hungarian Working People's Party (as part of Patriotic People's Front)
Status in legislatureTotal control
298 / 298 (100%)
History
Election1953
PredecessorI. Nagy I
SuccessorI. Nagy II

Background

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In the aftermath of World War II, the country embarked on the construction of a socialist foundation based on the Stalinist model.[1] The challenges of rebuilding the economy and industrializing in the face of limited resources were compounded by internal disputes within the ruling Hungarian Working People's Party, particularly regarding political and economic strategies.

Matyas Rakosi, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Hungarian Working People's Party, pursued orthodox Stalinist policies, emulating those implemented in the USSR. By the end of 1949, extensive nationalization had taken place, bringing key sectors under state control.[2] The accelerated collectivization of agriculture commenced, with 1,500 production cooperatives established by the middle of the year.[3] Rakosi, faced with international tensions and the outbreak of the Korean War, believed in expediting the establishment of socialism, even resorting to reprisals.[4]

A counterposition emerged, led by Imre Nagy, a former Minister of Agriculture (Hungary) known for overseeing agrarian reform. Nagy criticized Rakosi's approach, advocating for socialist reform.[4] The death of Joseph Stalin in 1953 weakened Rakosi's position, as new Soviet leaders favored moderate reforms and a departure from Stalinism. In July 1956, Imre Nagy replaced Rakosi as the head of the government, steering away from forced industrialization and promoting democratization.[5]

However, Nagy's tenure faced opposition, leading to his condemnation by the Central Committee in March 1955. Despite this, Nagy retained support, especially among intellectuals, youth, and certain press organs.[5] Unable to reinstate himself or appoint loyal comrades to key positions, Rakosi supported the candidacy of András Hegedüs, a 33-year-old ally, as the head of the Council of Ministers.

Hegedüs, aligned with Rakosi's policies, collaborated with the Rákosi group in sidelining Nagy's supporters and implemented a Five-Year Plan [hu]. The government signed the Warsaw Pact on May 14, 1955. During the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, Hegedüs initially supported Ernő Gerő, but later, as the situation evolved, left his post along with most of his cabinet members.

Composition

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Portfolio Minister Party
Chairman of the Council of Ministers András Hegedüs Hungarian Workers' Party
First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers Ernő Gerő (until July 30, 1956)
István Hidas[6] (from July 30, 1956)
Hungarian Workers' Party
Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers Antal Apro Hungarian Workers' Party
Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers Ferenc Erdei (until November 15, 1955)
István Hidas (until July 30, 1956)
György Marosan [hu]
Hungarian Workers' Party
Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers Joseph Mekis [hu] Hungarian Workers' Party
Minister of State Control[7] Árpád Házi[8] Hungarian Workers' Party
Minister of Economy György Pogácsás [hu] Hungarian Workers' Party
Minister of Mines and Energy[9] Sándor Czottner [hu] Hungarian Workers' Party
Minister of Taxes and Duties András Szobek [hu] Hungarian Workers' Party
Interior Minister Laszlo Piros Hungarian Workers' Party
Minister of Domestic Trade József Bognár [hu] (until April 14, 1956)
Janos Tausz [hu] (from April 14, 1956)
Hungarian Workers' Party
Minister of Health Joseph Roman Hungarian Workers' Party
Minister of Food Iván Altomáré [hu] (until July 30, 1956)
Rezső Nyers (from July 30, 1956)
Hungarian Workers' Party
Minister of Construction Lajos Szíjártó [hu] Hungarian Workers' Party
Minister of Agriculture Ferenc Erdei (until November 15, 1955)
Janos Matolcsy (from November 15, 1955)
Hungarian Workers' Party
Minister of Defense István Bata Hungarian Workers' Party
Justice Minister Erik Molnár Hungarian Workers' Party
Minister of Metallurgy and Mechanical Engineering Janos Csergő [hu] Hungarian Workers' Party
Minister of Light Industry Béla Szalai [hu] (until September 8, 1955)
Józsefné Nagy [hu] (from September 8, 1955)
Hungarian Workers' Party
Minister of Transport and Postal Service Lajos Bebrits Hungarian Workers' Party
Minister of Foreign Trade László Háy (until April 14, 1956)
József Bognár [hu] (from April 14, 1956)
Hungarian Workers' Party
Foreign Minister Janos Boldocki (until July 30, 1956)
Imre Horváth (from July 30, 1956)
Hungarian Workers' Party
Minister of Culture József Darvas Hungarian Workers' Party
Minister of Public Education Tibor Erdey-Grúz (d 30 July 1956)
Albert Kónya (d 30 July 1956)
Hungarian Workers' Party
Minister of Finance Karoly Olt[10] Hungarian Workers' Party
Minister of Coal Industry[9] Sandor Czottner [hu] Hungarian Workers' Party
Minister of City and Municipal Administration Janos Shabo Hungarian Workers' Party
Minister of Chemical and Energy Industry[9] Árpád Kiss [hu] Hungarian Workers' Party
Minister of Chemical Industry[9] Gergely Szabó [hu] Hungarian Workers' Party
Chairman of the National Planning Committee Andor Berei [hu] Hungarian Workers' Party

Literature

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  • T. M. Islamov, A. I. s, V. P. Shusharin. (1991). Brief history of Hungary. From ancient times to the present day (PDF). M.: Nauka. p. 608. ISBN 5-02-009913-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • S. Y. Lavrenov, I. M. Popov. (2003). Soviet Union in local wars and conflicts. M.: LLC "ACT Publishing House". p. 778. ISBN 5-271-05709-7.

References

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  1. ^ Islamov, Pushkash & Shusharin 1991, p. 464.
  2. ^ Islamov, Pushkash & Shusharin 1991, p. 457.
  3. ^ Islamov, Pushkash & Shusharin 1991, p. 459-460.
  4. ^ a b Islamov, Pushkash & Shusharin 1991, p. 465.
  5. ^ a b Islamov, Pushkash & Shusharin 1991, p. 468.
  6. ^ "Hidas István". www.rev.hu. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  7. ^ The position was established on August 26, 1955.
  8. ^ "1944_ngy_a_t172". 2015-02-06. Archived from the original on 2015-02-06. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  9. ^ a b c d Position created on July 30, 1956.
  10. ^ "Magyar Életrajzi Lexikon". mek.niif.hu. Retrieved 2023-08-10.

Sources

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Government offices
Preceded by Cabinets of the Hungarian People's Republic
April 18, 1955-October 24, 1956
Succeeded by