Péter Medgyessy

**Péter Medgyessy** (born 19 October 1942)  is a Hungarian economist and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Hungary from 2002 to 2004. He is a member of the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) and was elected to parliament in 1994.

Medgyessy was born on October 19, 1942, in Budapest, Hungary. He studied economics at the Budapest University of Economics and later earned a PhD in the same field from the Karl Marx University of Economics in Moscow.

Medgyessy worked as an economist for several years before entering politics in the 1990s. He was appointed as the Minister of Finance under Prime Minister Gyula Horn in 1996 and held the position until 1998.

In 2002, Medgyessy was elected as Prime Minister of Hungary after his party won a narrow victory in the parliamentary elections. His government pursued a program of economic and social reforms aimed at reducing Hungary's budget deficit and promoting growth.

Medgyessy's government introduced a number of measures aimed at improving Hungary's fiscal position and stimulating economic growth. These measures included the introduction of a flat tax system, the privatization of state-owned enterprises, and the reform of the pension system.

However, Medgyessy's government faced several challenges during its time in power, including a series of corruption scandals and accusations of economic mismanagement. In 2004, Medgyessy resigned as Prime Minister after losing the support of his coalition partners.

Following his resignation, Medgyessy returned to academia and became a professor of economics at the Budapest University of Economics. He also served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hungarian Development Bank from 2007 to 2010.

Medgyessy has been a vocal critic of Hungary's current government and its leader, Viktor Orbán, and has spoken out against what he sees as the government's authoritarian tendencies and disregard for the rule of law.

Overall, Medgyessy is regarded as a competent economist and a committed public servant, though his time as Prime Minister was marred by controversy and political turmoil. He remains active in public life and continues to advocate for progressive economic policies and democratic values.

## Family and studies

Péter Medgyessy is a Hungarian economist and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Hungary from 2002 to 2004. He was born on October 19, 1942, in Budapest, Hungary. He comes from a family of intellectuals and politicians, with his father being a renowned economist and his mother a prominent member of the Communist Party. Medgyessy studied economics at the Karl Marx University of Economics, now known as the Corvinus University of Budapest, and later pursued further studies in the United States. He has since held various positions in both the public and private sectors, including serving as the CEO of the Hungarian subsidiary of KPMG.

## Political career

Péter Medgyessy is a Hungarian politician who served as the Prime Minister of Hungary from 2002 to 2004. He began his political career as an economist in the Ministry of Finance during the 1970s. In 1996, he was appointed as the Minister of Finance in the government of Gyula Horn, where he implemented various economic reforms. In 2002, he became the Prime Minister of Hungary, leading a coalition government of the Hungarian Socialist Party and the Alliance of Free Democrats. During his tenure, he implemented several social and economic reforms, including the introduction of a flat tax system. He resigned in 2004 amid controversy over his alleged past involvement with the Communist secret police.

## Controversies

Péter Medgyessy, the former Prime Minister of Hungary, has been embroiled in several controversies throughout his career. One of the most significant controversies was related to his alleged past involvement with the Communist secret police. Medgyessy was accused of having worked as an intelligence officer for the secret police during the Communist regime in Hungary. He denied the allegations but eventually admitted to having worked as an informant in the late 1970s. Another controversy was related to the privatization  of state-owned companies during his tenure as Prime Minister, with accusations of corruption and insider dealing. Additionally, he was criticized for his handling of the Iraq War, with many accusing him of lying to the public about Hungary's involvement. Medgyessy's political career has been tarnished by these controversies, and his legacy remains a subject of debate in Hungary.

## Life since government

Since leaving government, Péter Medgyessy has continued to be involved in various business and civic activities. He has served as a board member and advisor for several Hungarian and international companies, including OTP Bank, MOL Group, and Telekom Hungary. He has also been a vocal advocate for environmental sustainability and has been involved in several initiatives aimed at promoting renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions. In addition to his business and environmental work, Medgyessy has also been active in promoting Hungarian culture and education. He has served as the president of the Hungarian Fulbright Alumni Association and has been involved in various educational and cultural exchange programs between Hungary and the United States.

## Awards and merits

Péter Medgyessy has been recognized with several awards and honors for his contributions to politics, economics, and public service. In 1999, he was awarded the Hungarian Republic's Order of Merit, and in 2000 he was awarded the Order of the British Empire for his contributions to promoting Anglo-Hungarian relations. He has also been recognized by various international organizations, including the World Economic Forum and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, for his work in promoting economic growth and development in Hungary. In 2015, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary for his contributions to the country's economic and political development. Medgyessy's numerous awards and merits are a testament to his distinguished career and public service.

## Infobox (prime minister)

- **name**: Péter Medgyessy
- **image**: Medgyessy in August 2014 (cropped).JPG
- **order1**: Prime Minister of Hungary
<small>5th Third Hungarian Republic, Prime Minister of the Third Republic of Hungary</small>
- **term start1**: 27 May 2002
- **term end1**: 29 September 2004
- **president1**: Ferenc Mádl
- **predecessor1**: Viktor Orbán
- **successor1**: Ferenc Gyurcsány
- **order2**: Minister of Finance of Hungary, Minister of Finance
- **term start2**: 1 January 1987
- **term end2**: 15 December 1987
- **predecessor2**: István Hetényi
- **successor2**: Miklós Villányi
- **term start3**: 1 March 1996
- **term end3**: 7 July 1998
- **predecessor3**: Lajos Bokros
- **successor3**: Zsigmond Járai
- **birth place**: Budapest, Kingdom of Hungary (Regency), Hungary
- **spouse**: Katalin Csaplár
- **party**: independent (MSZMP until 1989)
- **profession**: Economist
- **website**: [http://www.medgyessy.hu www.medgyessy.hu]