Hungarian Socialist Party
From Free net encyclopedia
Template:Politics of Hungary The Hungarian Socialist Party (Hungarian: Magyar Szocialista Párt, MSZP) is a socialist party in Hungary. It is the part-successor of the communist Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party (or MSZMP), which ruled Hungary between 1956 and 1989. The controversial decision of declaring the party a successor of the MSZMP still haunts them. In particular, some of the past communist elite could manage to live on and keep political influence in today's MSZP. The party is not to be confused with the Workers' Party, a marginal party of hardline Communists, the other successor.
On economic issues, the Socialists are centrist, balancing between mostly liberal free market policies and a socialistic rhetoric. It differentiates itself from its conservative opponents mainly by its rejection of nationalism, which they often try to pin on their opponents. The party (together with its coalition partner) campaigned against extending Hungarian citizenship to ethnic Hungarians living in neighbouring countries in the December 5, 2004 referendum. Although they claimed victory against the yes side, the party has been pressured to make steps towards reconciliation with Hungarian minorities abroad.
Although it is respected internationally (it is a member of the Socialist International and the Party of European Socialists, as well as holding a chairmanship and several vice-chairmanships in the committees of the European Parliament), the party's democratic credentials (being able to shed its role played during Communism) are questioned by many in Hungary itself. Internally, it is democratic, with rivalling groups within itself, like ones supporting Ferenc Gyurcsány and not, contrasted to Fidesz, where there is no doubt about Viktor Orbán's leadership. Current leaders of MSZP are contrasting today's MSZP to the anti-market, anti-liberal ideology of Fidesz.
Its most internationally recognised politicians are Gyula Horn (played a major role in bringing down the Iron Curtain and in East Germans being able to meet West German living relatives and friends by both parties having a holiday in Hungary) and László Kovács, currently Commissioner of the EU, responsible for taxes.
At the latest elections, the party got 42.05% of the popular vote, giving it the largest number of representatives in Parliament (178 out of 386), and has formed a coalition government with the Alliance of Free Democrats. In earlier elections, it got 10.89% (1990), 32.98% (1994) and 32.92% (1998).
Leaders
Chairman:
Deputy chairman:
- Dr. Imre Szekeres
Vice chairmen:
- Ferenc Juhász
- Dr. István Újhelyi
Members of the board:
- Katalin Kállai, Katonáné
- Péter Kiss
- Dr. Mónika Lamperth
- Ildikó Lendvai
- László Mandur
- Attila Mesterházy
- Erika Németh
- Dr. Pál Steiner
- Dr. Ágnes Vadai
- Dr. János Veres
- József Veress
See also
eo:Hungara Socialista Partio es:Partido Socialista de Hungría fr:Magyar Szocialista Párt hu:Magyar Szocialista Párt ja:ハンガリー社会党 lt:Vengrijos socialistų partija pl:Węgierska Partia Socjalistyczna