# Hegedüs government

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.

## Background

In the aftermath of World War II, the country embarked on the construction of a socialist foundation based on the Stalinist model. 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. The accelerated collectivization of agriculture commenced, with 1,500 production cooperatives established by the middle of the year. Rakosi, faced with international tensions and the outbreak of the Korean War, believed in expediting the establishment of socialism, even resorting to reprisals.
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. 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.
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. 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

| 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 (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 | Árpád Házi | Hungarian Workers' Party |
| Minister of Economy | György Pogácsás [hu] | Hungarian Workers' Party |
| Minister of Mines and Energy | 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 | 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 | Hungarian Workers' Party |
| Minister of Coal Industry | Sandor Czottner [hu] | Hungarian Workers' Party |
| Minister of City and Municipal Administration | Janos Shabo | Hungarian Workers' Party |
| Minister of Chemical and Energy Industry | Árpád Kiss [hu] | Hungarian Workers' Party |
| Minister of Chemical Industry | Gergely Szabó [hu] | Hungarian Workers' Party |
| Chairman of the National Planning Committee | Andor Berei [hu] | Hungarian Workers' Party |

## Literature

* 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.