József Antall

**József Antall Jr.** (Hungarian: Ifj. Antall József, ; 8 April 1932 – 12 December 1993) was a Hungarian historian and politician who served as the first democratically elected Prime Minister of Hungary after the fall of communism. He was instrumental in Hungary's transition to democracy and is considered a key figure in the country's modern history.

Antall was born on April 8, 1932, in Budapest, Hungary. He studied history and Hungarian literature at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest and later earned a doctorate in philosophy. Antall began his academic career as a researcher at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, where he specialized in Hungarian and European history.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Antall became involved in the opposition movement against the Communist government. He was a founding member of the Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF), a political party that advocated for democracy and free markets in Hungary. Antall was elected as the president of the MDF in 1989.

After the fall of communism in Hungary, Antall became the first democratically elected Prime Minister of Hungary in 1990. He led the country during a crucial period of transition from communism to democracy and oversaw significant economic and political reforms.

One of Antall's most significant achievements was his role in negotiating the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Hungary. Under Antall's leadership, Hungary also became the first country in the Soviet bloc to recognize the independence of the Baltic states.

Antall's government implemented a series of economic reforms aimed at transitioning Hungary from a centrally planned economy to a market-oriented one. These reforms included privatization of state-owned enterprises and the introduction of a new tax system. Antall also established diplomatic relations with Israel and initiated talks with the European Union.

Antall's time in office was not without challenges. His government faced criticism from some quarters for not moving quickly enough to reform the economy and for failing to address social issues. Unemployment jumped from nonexistence to 14 percent. Inflation increased at an annual rate of 23–35 percent. Older, retired people, more than one-fifth of the population, suffered the most, and the living standards of more than one-third of the populace declined to below subsistence level. In the meantime, income disparities increased, which irritated the people. Corruption became more widespread and visible than before. Together with the previously omnipotent police force, street security also collapsed in 1990. The crime rate, especially in Budapest, increased threefold in five years.There were also tensions between the MDF and its coalition partners, which ultimately led to the collapse of Antall's government in 1993.

Antall continued to serve as the president of the MDF until his death in December 1993. His legacy as a key figure in Hungary's transition to democracy is widely recognized, and he is remembered as a respected historian and politician who played a vital role in shaping Hungary's modern history.

In recognition of his contributions to Hungary, Antall was posthumously awarded the Order of the Cross of Liberty, the highest civilian honor in Hungary. The József Antall Scholarship Program, established in 1996, is also named in his honor and provides opportunities for young Hungarian scholars to study abroad.

## Early life and education

József Antall was born on April 8, 1932, in Budapest, Hungary. He was the son of a prominent historian, Gyula Antall, who was imprisoned for his anti-Nazi views during World War II. After the war, József Antall's family faced persecution under the Communist regime, which forced them into hiding. Despite this, Antall was able to attend the University of Budapest, where he studied history and earned his PhD in 1956, the same year as the Hungarian Revolution. Antall's experiences under Nazi and Communist rule had a profound impact on his political views, and he became a leading figure in Hungary's democratic movement in the 1980s.

## Early career

After completing his PhD, József Antall worked as a historian and teacher. He also became involved in politics, joining the Independent Smallholders' Party, which had been a dominant political force in Hungary before the Communist takeover. In 1979, Antall was elected to the Hungarian Parliament, where he served until 1990. During his time in parliament, he was a vocal critic of the Communist regime and became known for his advocacy of democracy and human rights. Following the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, Antall played a key role in the creation of the first non-Communist government in Hungary since 1947, serving as the country's first post-Communist Prime Minister from 1990 until his death in 1993.

## Prime Minister

József Antall served as the Prime Minister of Hungary from 1990 until his death in 1993. He led the first non-Communist government in Hungary since 1947, and his tenure was marked by significant reforms aimed at transitioning the country to a market-based economy and a democratic political system. Antall's government oversaw the privatization of state-owned enterprises, the introduction of a new constitution, and the establishment of diplomatic relations with several Western countries. He was also a strong advocate for Hungary's integration into European institutions and oversaw the country's accession to the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Despite his accomplishments, Antall's time in office was cut short by his untimely death due to cancer at the age of 61.

## Illness and Death

József Antall was diagnosed with cancer in 1992, just two years after he became the first post-Communist Prime Minister of Hungary. Despite undergoing treatment, his health continued to decline, and he became increasingly weak and frail. On December 12, 1993, Antall died at the age of 61 due to complications from cancer. His death was mourned throughout Hungary and the international community, with many recognizing his contributions to the country's transition to democracy and his efforts to strengthen Hungary's ties with Europe. He was succeeded by Péter Boross as Prime Minister of Hungary.

## Legacy

József Antall is widely recognized as a key figure in Hungary's transition to democracy and market economy in the post-Communist era. His government oversaw significant reforms that paved the way for Hungary's integration into European institutions. He was a strong advocate for the protection of human rights, the rule of law, and the strengthening of civil society. Antall's legacy includes the establishment of diplomatic relations with Western countries and the development of Hungary's foreign policy aimed at fostering closer ties with Europe. His premature death cut short his tenure as Prime Minister, but his vision and legacy continue to inspire generations of Hungarians.

## Infobox (officeholder)

- **name**: József Antall
- **image**: József Antall, Jr. speech 1990 (page 1 crop).tif
- **caption**: Antall in 1990
- **order**: Prime Minister of Hungary
- **president**: Árpád Göncz
- **term start**: 23 May 1990
- **term end**: 12 December 1993
- **order1**: Parliament of Hungary, Member of the National Assembly
- **term start1**: 2 May 1990
- **term end1**: 12 December 1993
- **predecessor**: Miklós Németh
- **successor**: Péter Boross
- **birth place**: Budapest, Kingdom of Hungary (Regency), Hungary
- **death place**: Budapest, Hungary
- **spouse**: Klára Fülepp
- **children**: György
Péter
- **party**: Hungarian Democratic Forum, MDF (conservative)