Az "Amerika Hangja" - Voice of America - a valasztasrol:
DATE=5/28/94
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-159387
TITLE=HUNGARY / ELECTION (S ONLY)
BYLINE=RON PEMSTEIN
DATELINE=BUDAPEST
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: VOTERS IN HUNGARY GO TO THE POLLS SUNDAY FOR THE SECOND
ROUND OF ELECTIONS FOR PARLIAMENT. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS
FROM BUDAPEST THAT THE SOCIALIST PARTY IS LOOKING FOR A COALITION
PARTNER DESPITE ITS PROBABLE VICTORY.
TEXT: THE FORMER COMMUNIST PARTY WON 55 PARLIAMENT SEATS IN THE
FIRST ROUND AND WAS LEADING IN 148 OF 174 DISTRICTS TO BE DECIDED
IN SUNDAY'S SECOND ROUND OF ELECTIONS.
THE ONLY QUESTION IS THE SIZE OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY'S MARGIN.
THE LEFT OF CENTER ALLIANCE OF FREE DEMOCRATS HAS EXPRESSED
WILLINGNESS TO FORM A COALITION WITH THE SOCIALIST PARTY IF THE
SOCIALISTS FALL SHORT OF 50 PERCENT OF THE SEATS IN THE 386-SEAT
PARLIAMENT. HOWEVER, FREE DEMOCRAT LEADERS WORRY THEY WILL SHARE
THE BLAME FOR TOUGH ECONOMIC MEASURES WITHOUT HAVING ANY
INFLUENCE ON GOVERNMENT POLICY IF THE SOCIALISTS CAN GOVERN
WITHOUT THEM. THE FREE DEMOCRATS FINISHED SECOND IN THE FIRST
ROUND HELD MAY 8TH.
SOCIALIST PARTY LEADERS SAY THEY WILL NEED BROAD SUPPORT FOR
MEASURES TO CUT PUBLIC SPENDING AND TO BRING UNEMPLOYMENT AND
INFLATION UNDER CONTROL. IT WAS THESE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS THAT
LED VOTERS TO FAVOR THE SOCIALISTS IN THE FIRST ROUND OVER THE
CENTER-RIGHT GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/DW/JWH
28-May-94 12:17 PM EDT (1617 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
****************
DATE=5/29/94
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-159395
TITLE=HUNGARY / ELECTION (S)
BYLINE=RON PEMSTEIN
DATELINE=BUDAPEST
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: MORE THAN A QUARTER OF HUNGARIAN VOTERS HAVE ALREADY CAST
BALLOTS TODAY (SUNDAY) IN RUN-OFF ELECTIONS FOR PARLIAMENT. RON
PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BUDAPEST THAT ECONOMIC CONDITIONS FOLLOWING
THE FALL OF COMMUNISM ARE THE BEST EXPLANATION FOR THE PROBABLE
VICTORY OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY.
TEXT: THE SOCIALISTS ARE IN A COMMANDING POSITION AFTER THE
FIRST ROUND OF VOTING EARLIER THIS MONTH AND ARE EXPECTED TO
EMERGE WITH A MAJORITY IN THE 386 SEAT PARLIAMENT AFTER VOTES ARE
COUNTED IN 174 INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS WHERE RUN-OFFS WERE
NECESSARY.
THE LIBERAL ALLIANCE OF FREE DEMOCRATS WAS THE SECOND PLACE PARTY
IN THE FIRST ROUND AND COULD COMBINE WITH THE SOCIALISTS TO
CREATE A STRONG MAJORITY COALITION. THIS REJECTION OF THE
CENTER-RIGHT GOVERNING PARTIES CAN BE EXPLAINED BY THE FALL IN
LIVING STANDARDS FOR HUNGARIANS IN RECENT YEARS. INFLATION IS
RUNNING AT 22 PERCENT, 12 PERCENT OF HUNGARIANS ARE UNEMPLOYED
AND INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION HAS DROPPED SHARPLY.
THE SOCIALISTS SAY THEY BELIEVE IN FREE MARKET REFORMS BUT THEY
WILL MAKE THE TOUGH DECISIONS NEEDED TO DEAL WITH THE PAIN OF
TRANSITION. VOTERS HERE DO NOT SEE THE RETURN OF THE FORMER
COMMUNISTS AS A REJECTION OF THE CHANGE OF POLITICAL SYSTEM. THE
COMMUNISTS STARTED ECONOMIC REFORM IN HUNGARY AND THE COMMUNIST
FOREIGN MINISTER WHO CUT THE IRON CURTAIN IN 1989 IS THE CURRENT
SOCIALIST PARTY LEADER, GYULA HORN. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/DW/CMN
29-May-94 8:28 AM EDT (1228 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
****************
DATE=5/29/94
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-159399
TITLE=HUNGARY / ELECTION (L)
BYLINE=RON PEMSTEIN
DATELINE=BUDAPEST
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: HUNGARIANS VOTED SUNDAY IN RUN-OFF ELECTIONS FOR A NEW
PARLIAMENT. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BUDAPEST THAT THE
SOCIALIST PARTY -- THE FORMER COMMUNISTS -- IS EXPECTED BACK IN
POWER FOR BOTH ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL REASONS.
TEXT: JUST AS IN POLAND AND LITHUANIA, VOTERS HERE ARE WELCOMING
BACK THE FORMER COMMUNISTS -- NOT TO BRING BACK THE ONE-PARTY
SYSTEM, BUT IN THE HOPE OF HAVING BETTER MANAGERS FOR THE FREE
MARKET ECONOMY.
IN FACT, WHEN VOTERS HERE ARE ASKED WHO DID THE MOST TO BRING
ABOUT THE CHANGE OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS, THE MAN WHO OFTEN GETS THE
CREDIT IS GYULA HORN, THE LEADER OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY. HE WAS
THE LAST COMMUNIST FOREIGN MINISTER, THE MAN WHO OPENED THE IRON
CURTAIN IN 1989 AND SYMBOLICALLY CUT THE BARBED WIRE ON HUNGARY'S
WESTERN BORDER WITH AUSTRIA.
THE SOCIALISTS CAN ALSO CLAIM TO HAVE STARTED FREE MARKET REFORMS
IN HUNGARY, THE MOST PRAGMATIC IN EASTERN EUROPE. WESTERN
INVESTMENT AND PRIVATE ENTERPRISE MAY HAVE EXPLODED AFTER THE
FALL OF COMMUNISM HERE IN 1990 BUT SO HAVE UNEMPLOYMENT, NOW AT
12 PERCENT, AND INFLATION, NOW RUNNING AT 22 PERCENT A YEAR.
IN THE FIRST ROUND, MAY EIGHTH, THE VOTERS DECISIVELY REJECTED
THE CENTER-RIGHT COALITION LED BY THE HUNGARIAN DEMOCRATIC FORUM.
BY THE TIME THE VOTES ARE COUNTED FROM SUNDAY'S 174 RUN-OFF
RACES, THE SOCIALIST PARTY IS EXPECTED TO WIN AN OUTRIGHT
MAJORITY OF THE SEATS IN THE 386-SEAT PARLIAMENT. THE ONLY
QUESTION REMAINING IS WHETHER THE SECOND PLACE PARTY, THE LIBERAL
ALLIANCE OF FREE DEMOCRATS, WILL JOIN THE SOCIALISTS IN A LEFT OF
CENTER COALITION GOVERNMENT.
THE SOCIALISTS ARE EXPECTED TO PUT AN END TO THE DEMOCRATIC
FORUM'S EMPHASIS ON HUNGARIAN MINORITIES LIVING IN SLOVAKIA,
ROMANIA AND SERBIA. THEY ALSO WILL END THE DISCUSSION ABOUT
CHRISTIAN VALUES AND ABOUT NATIONALISM THAT TORE THE DEMOCRATIC
FORUM APART.
ROBERT FROELICH, THE 29-YEAR OLD RABBI OF BUDAPEST'S DOHANY
STREET SYNAGOGUE, EXPRESSES PLEASURE AND SATISFACTION THAT
HUNGARIAN VOTERS REJECTED ALL CHAUVANIST PARTIES AND SAYS HE
EXPECTS THE SOCIALISTS TO BRING A PERIOD OF PEACE AND QUIET AFTER
FOUR YEARS OF NATIONALIST TENSION.
// FROELICH ACT //
DURING THE FOUR YEARS, EVERYONE TALKED ABOUT CHRISTIANS
AND JEWS AND LIBERALS AND COMMUNISTS. THIS WAS THE ERA
OF HATING. I WANT THEM (THE SOCIALISTS) TO BRING HERE
AN ERA OF LOVE, NOT LOVE, PEACE. I WANT THEM TO MAKE
THIS COUNTRY QUIET.
// END ACT //
RABBI FROELICH SAYS AS LATE AS TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE ELECTION, HE
WORRIED HUNGARIAN VOTERS MIGHT FAVOR THE EXTREMES. INSTEAD, THE
VOTERS BROUGHT BACK FORMER COMMUNISTS IDENTIFIED WITH THE CHANGES
TO A FREE MARKET BUT NOT IDENTIFIED WITH THE PAINFUL EFFECTS
THAT ACCOMPANIED IT.
JUST LIKE REFORM COMMUNISTS IN POLAND AND LITHUANIA, THE
HUNGARIAN SOCIALISTS PROMISE TO HELP PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HURT BY
THE ECONOMIC TRANSITION, ESPECIALLY PENSIONERS AND THE
UNEMPLOYED. AT THE SAME TIME, SOCIALIST PARTY SPOKESMEN SAY
THERE MUST BE CUTS IN PUBLIC SPENDING.
TO MAKE THOSE ECONOMIC SACRIFICES, THE SOCIALISTS SAY THEY MUST
HAVE A STRONG COALITION GOVERNMENT -- EVEN IF THEY WIN AN
OUTRIGHT MAJORITY. THE ALLIANCE OF FREE DEMOCRATS IS WILLING TO
LEAVE ITS OPPOSITION ROLE BUT WANTS TO BE ASSURED IT WILL HAVE
SOME INFLUENCE ON GOVERNMENT POLICY AND NOT SIMPLY BE PRESENT
TO SHARE THE BLAME FOR UNPOPULAR AUSTERITY MEASURES. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/DW/CMN
29-May-94 12:20 PM EDT (1620 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
****************
DATE=5/29/94
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-159406
TITLE=HUNGARY ELECTIONS (S-UPDATE)
BYLINE=RON PEMSTEIN
DATELINE=BUDAPEST
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: ACCORDING TO EXIT POLLS FROM HUNGARY'S RUN-OFF ELECTIONS
FOR PARLIAMENT, THE SOCIALIST PARTY HAS WON AN ABSOLUTE MAJORITY
OF SEATS. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BUDAPEST, ECONOMIC
CONDITIONS FOLLOWING THE FALL OF COMMUNISM ARE THE BEST
EXPLANTION FOR THE VICTORY OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY.
TEXT: HUNGARIAN VOTERS HAVE GIVEN THE SOCIALIST PARTY AN
OVERWHEMLING VICTORY IN THE SECOND ROUND OF ELECTIONS FOR
PARLIAMENT, BRINGING THE FORMER COMMUNISTS BACK TO POWER AFTER
FOUR YEARS IN OPPOSITION.
EXIT POLLS FROM SUNDAY'S RUN-OFF ELECTIONS SHOW THE SOCIALISTS
WINNING 208 SEATS IN THE 386 SEAT PARLIAMENT, A 54 PERCENT
MAJORITY.
THE POLLS SHOW THE LIBERAL ALLIANCE OF FREE DEMOCRATS TAKING 19
PERCENT OF THE SEATS. THEY COULD COMBINE WITH THE SOCIALISTS TO
CREATE A COALITION GOVERNMENT HOLDING MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS,
ENOUGH TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION. THIS REJECTION OF THE
CENTER-RIGHT GOVERNING PARTIES CAN BE EXPLAINED BY THE FALL IN
LIVING STANDARDS FOR HUNGARIANS IN RECENT YEARS. INFLATION IS
RUNNING AT 22 PERCENT, 12 PERCENT OF HUNGARIANS ARE UNEMPLOYED
AND INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION HAS DROPPED SHARPLY.
THE SOCIALISTS SAY THEY BELIEVE IN FREE MARKET REFORMS BUT THEY
WILL MAKE THE TOUGH DECISIONS NEEDED TO DEAL WITH THE PAIN OF
TRANSITION. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/CMN
29-May-94 1:52 PM EDT (1752 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
****************
DATE=5/29/94
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-159415
TITLE=HUNGARY ELECTION ONITER
BYLINE=RON PEMSTEIN
DATELINE=BUDAPEST
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: HUNGARY'S SOCIALIST PARTY HAS WON AN ABSOLUTE MAJORITY OF
11 SEATS IN THE FINAL ROUND OF VOTING FOR A NEW PARLIAMENT. RON
PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BUDAPEST, DESPITE THE VICTORY THE
SOCIALISTS ARE LOOKING FOR A COALITION PARTNER.
TEXT: HUNGARIAN VOTERS HAVE GIVEN THE SOCIALIST PARTY AN
OVERWHEMLING VICTORY IN THE SECOND ROUND OF ELECTIONS FOR
PARLIAMENT. IT'S THE FIRST TIME IN HUNGARIAN HISTORY, THEY HAVE
FREELY VOTED FOR A LEFTIST PARTY IN A MULTI-PARTY ELECTION.
COMPLETE RETURNS GIVE THE SOCIALISTS 204 SEATS IN THE 386 SEAT
PARLIAMENT, ABOUT 53 PER CENT OF THE MANDATES. THE NEXT LARGEST
FACTION WILL BE THE LIBERAL ALLIANCE OF FREE DEMOCRATS WITH 70
SEATS,
SOME 18 PER CENT. THE OUTGOING CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATIC FORUM HAS
BEEN REDUCED TO THIRD PLACE WITH JUST 37 SEATS AND AN OPPOSITION
ROLE. SOCIALIST PARTY LEADER GYULA HORN SAYS DESPITE WINNING THE
ABSOLUTE MAJORITY THE SOCIALISTS STILL SEE THE FREE DEMOCRATS AS
THEIR NATURAL PARTNER. THE TWO PARTIES COULD HAVE A TWO THIRDS
MAJORITY IN THE NEW PARLIAMENT.
THE FREE DEMOCRATS SAY THEY WILL DECIDE LATER ABOUT WHETHER THEY
WANT TO JOIN THE SOCIALISTS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE. GABOR KUNCZE,
THE PARTY'S CANDIDATE FOR PRIME MINISTER, SAYS CONDITIONS FOR A
COALITION HAVE BECOME HARDER BECAUSE THE SOCIALISTS NOW HAVE THE
MAJORITY EVEN WITHOUT THE HELP OF THE FREE DEMOCRATS. (SIGNED)
NEB/SD
29-May-94 6:36 PM EDT (2236 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
****************
DATE=5/30/94
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-159430
TITLE=HUNGARY-ELECTION OVERNIGHTER (L)
BYLINE=RON PEMSTEIN
DATELINE=BUDAPEST
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: HUNGARIANS HAVE GIVEN THE FORMER COMMUNIST PARTY -- THE
SOCIALISTS -- AN ABSOLUTE MAJORITY IN THE NEW PARLIAMENT DURING
THE COUNTRY'S SECOND MULTI-PARTY ELECTION SINCE THE FALL OF
COMMUNISM. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BUDAPEST, THE SOCIALISTS
ARE LOOKING FOR A PARTNER IN DEALING WITH DIFFICULT MARKET
REFORMS.
TEXT: HUNGARIAN VOTERS LEFT NO DOUBT, IN THE SECOND ROUND OF
VOTING FOR A NEW PARLIAMENT, THAT THEY MEANT TO PUT THE COUNTRY
IN THE HANDS OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY. THE FORMER COMMUNISTS WILL
HAVE AN ABSOLUTE MAJORITY OF 11 SEATS IN THE NEW PARLIAMENT.
COMPLETE RETURNS GIVE THE SOCIALISTS 204 OF 386 SEATS, ABOUT
53-PERCENT OF THE MANDATES.
POLITICAL CONSULTANT TIBOR VIDOS SAYS VOTERS MADE HISTORY BY
FAVORING THE LEFT AS THEY REJECTED THE CENTER-RIGHT GOVERNMENT.
/// VIDOS ACT ///
THAT MEANS THEY NOT SIMPLY VOTED AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT,
AS THEY DID IN THE FIRST ROUND AS WELL, THEY VOTED
SOCIALIST. THEY VOTED LEFT, WHICH HAS NEVER HAPPENED,
THAT IS THE FIRST TIME IN HUNGARIAN HISTORY, IN A FREE
ELECTION, A LEFT-WING PARTY HAS BEEN ELECTED TO POWER.
/// END ACT ///
IT HAPPENED HERE, AS IT HAPPENED EARLIER IN POLAND AND LITHUANIA,
THAT VOTERS TOSSED OUT THE FORCES THEY ELECTED EARLIER AND CALLED
BACK THE REFORM COMMUNISTS TO EASE THE HARDSHIPS OF THE
TRANSITION TO A MARKET ECONOMY.
SOCIALIST PARTY LEADER GYULA HORN, WEARING A METAL NECK BRACE
AROUND HIS HEAD AS THE RESULT OF AN AUTO ACCIDENT EARLIER THIS
MONTH, POINTED TO HIS VICTORIOUS COLLEAGUES SAYING -- WE ARE THE
RED DEVILS, AS THEY CALLED US.
MR. HORN OPENED THE IRON CURTAIN IN 1989 AS THE LAST COMMUNIST
FOREIGN MINISTER. HE IS THE MAN MOST HUNGARIANS CREDIT WITH THE
CHANGE OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS HERE.
DESPITE THE SOCIALISTS' ABSOLUTE MAJORITY, MR. HORN REPEATED HIS
CALL FOR A COALITION PARTNER IN THE EFFORT TO RAISE HUNGARIAN
LIVING STANDARDS, AND TO DEAL WITH 12-PERCENT UN-EMPLOYMENT AND
22-PERCENT PRICE INFLATION. MR. HORN SAYS THE LIBERAL ALLIANCE
OF FREE DEMOCRATS IS THE NATURAL COALITION PARTNER FOR THE
SOCIALISTS. THE TWO PARTIES AGREE ON MOST ECONOMIC POLICIES.
THE FREE DEMOCRATS WON 70 SEATS, THE SECOND LARGEST PARTY IN THE
NEW PARLIAMENT. IF THEY JOIN THE SOCIALISTS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL
HAVE A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY AND CAN PASS CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES.
BUT, THE MAN THE FREE DEMOCRATS NOMINATED FOR PRIME MINISTER,
GABOR KUNCZE, SAYS CONDITIONS FOR A COALITION ARE MUCH HARDER NOW
THAT THE SOCIALISTS HAVE THE ABSOLUTE MAJORITY. THE FREE
DEMOCRATS SAY THEY WILL DECIDE LATER WHETHER TO ACCEPT THE
SOCIALISTS' OFFER.
CONSULTANT TIBOR VIDOS DOUBTS THE FREE DEMOCRATS WILL AGREE TO BE
A JUNIOR PARTNER FOR THE SOCIALISTS.
/// VIDOS ACT ///
I THINK THE FREE DEMOCRATS WILL NOT HAVE POWER ENOUGH IN
A COALITION WHERE THEY ARE A MINORITY PARTNER, AND WHERE
THE MAJOR COALITION PARTNER HAS MORE THAN 50-PERCENT OF
THE VOTES. BECAUSE IN THAT CASE, THEY SIMPLY HAVE NO
BARGAINING POWER. BECAUSE AT THE END, THE SOCIALISTS
CAN ALWAYS SAY, OK IF YOU'RE NOT VOTING WITH US, WE VOTE
IT ALONE. THEREFORE THEY SIMPLY WOULD NOT HAVE THE
POWER IN CASE OF CONFLICTS TO FORCE A CONSENSUS IN A
DECISION, TO FORCE A COMPROMISE.
/// END ACT ///
THE FREE DEMOCRATS WORRY THEY WILL SHARE THE BLAME FOR TOUGH
AUSTERITY MEASURES THE SOCIALISTS PASS THROUGH PARLIAMENT -- SUCH
AS CUTS IN PUBLIC SPENDING -- AND WILL RECEIVE LITTLE CREDIT IF
THE NEW GOVERNMENT IS SUCCESSFUL IN RAISING HUNGARIAN LIVING
STANDARDS.
THE ALTERNATIVE FOR THE FREE DEMOCRATS IS TO RETURN TO THE
OPPOSITION THAT WILL BE DOMINATED BY THE CONSERVATIVE PARTIES
THAT MADE UP HUNGARY'S FIRST POST-COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/RAE
30-May-94 3:46 AM EDT (0746 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
****************
DATE=5/30/94
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-159460
TITLE=HUNGARY ELECTIONS (S-ONLY)
BYLINE=RON PEMSTEIN
DATELINE=BUDAPEST
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE HUNGARIAN SOCIALIST PARTY IS PREPARING FOR A WEEKEND
CONGRESS TO CONSIDER HOW TO DEAL WITH ITS UNEXPECTED ABSOLUTE
MAJORITY IN THE NEWLY-ELECTED HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT. RON PEMSTEIN
REPORTS FROM BUDAPEST, DESPITE THEIR OVERWHELMING VICTORY, THE
SOCIALISTS STILL WANT A COALITION GOVERNMENT.
TEXT: THE SOCIALISTS ARE EXPECTED TO NAME THEIR LEADER, FORMER
FOREIGN MINISTER GYULA HORN, AS HUNGARY'S NEW PRIME MINISTER.
MR. HORN SAYS DESPITE THE SOCIALISTS WINNING 209 OF THE
PARLIAMENT'S 386 SEATS, HE WANTS A BROAD COALITION GOVERNMENT
INCLUDING THE SECOND-PLACE PARTY, THE LIBERAL ALLIANCE OF FREE
DEMOCRATS.
DURING THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN, THE LIBERALS SAID THEY WOULD NOT
ENTER A COALITION LED BY MR. HORN BECAUSE OF HIS COMMUNIST PAST.
HOWEVER, IVAN PETO, LEADER OF THE FREE DEMOCRATS, SAYS THE
SOCIALISTS CAN NAME WHOMEVER THEY WANT BECAUSE THEY WON THE
ABSOLUTE MAJORITY.
MR. PETO TOLD REPORTERS HIS PARTY WILL INSIST ON THE SOCIALISTS
ADOPTING THE FREE DEMOCRATS' ECONOMIC PROGRAM AS THE PRICE FOR
HIS PARTY'S COOPERATION.
AT THE SAME TIME, MR. PETO SAYS THE FREE DEMOCRATS WILL NOT
INTERVENE IN THE INTERNAL DEBATE AT THE SOCIALIST CONGRESS. THE
TRADE UNIONS INSIST ON GREATER PUBLIC SPENDING TO HELP THOSE HURT
BY FREE MARKET REFORMS WHILE ECONOMISTS WITHIN THE SOCIALIST
PARTY ADVOCATE CUTS IN PUBLIC SPENDING TO CONTROL INFLATION.
(SIGNED)
NEB/RP/PCH/CMN
30-May-94 1:03 PM EDT (1703 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
****************
DATE=5/30/94
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
NUMBER=5-17326
TITLE=HUNGARY-SOCIALISTS
BYLINE=RON PEMSTEIN
DATELINE=BUDAPEST
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: AFTER THE FINAL ROUND OF ELECTIONS FOR PARLIAMENT,
HUNGARY'S SOCIALIST PARTY HAS SWEPT BACK INTO POWER AFTER FOUR
YEARS IN OPPOSITION. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BUDAPEST, THE
SOCIALISTS ARE SEARCHING FOR A COALITION PARTNER EVEN THOUGH THEY
CAPTURED A MAJORITY IN THE NEW PARLIAMENT.
TEXT: AS A LOCAL POLITICAL SCIENTIST PUT IT, "WE KNOW WHERE THE
SOCIALIST PARTY COMES FROM." HE WAS REFERRING TO ITS COMMUNIST
PAST. HE SAYS WHAT VOTERS DO NOT KNOW IS WHERE THE PARTY IS
GOING.
ONE REASON IT IS HARD TO CHARACTERIZE THE HUNGARIAN SOCIALIST
PARTY IS THAT IT IS MADE UP OF FOUR DISTINCT SECTIONS. ONE IS
THE TRADE UNIONS, THE TRADITIONAL WORKER SUPPORT FOR A LEFTWING
PARTY. THIS WING IS CONCERNED ABOUT 12 PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT AND
WANTS MORE GOVERNMENT SPENDING TO IMPROVE LIVING STANDARDS AND TO
HELP PENSIONERS HURT BY ECONOMIC REFORMS.
ANOTHER WING IS MADE UP OF YOUNGER MORE MODERN TECHNOCRATS SUCH
AS ECONOMIC EXPERT LASZLO BEKESI, WHO SPEAKS OF CUTTING
GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND TRYING TO GET CONTROL OF HUNGARY'S
ENORMOUS BUDGET DEFICIT.
A THIRD WING IS COMPOSED OF NEWLY-ELECTED SOCIALIST MEMBERS, WHO
ADVOCATE CONCERN FOR HUNGARIANS ABROAD, SOUNDING MUCH LIKE THE
DEFEATED CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT LED BY DEMOCRATIC FORUM.
THE FOURTH WING IS MADE OF WHAT A WESTERN DIPLOMAT CALLS, THE
PRAGMATIC APPARATCHIKS, MOST PROMINENT AMONG THEM IS PARTY
LEADER, GYULA HORN. WHILE THE WORLD REMEMBERS MR. HORN AS THE
FOREIGN MINISTER WHO OPENED THE IRON CURTAIN TO EAST GERMAN
REFUGEES IN 1989 AND HELPED TO CUT THE BARBED WIRE ON THE WESTERN
BORDER WITH AUSTRIA, HIS COMMUNIST HISTORY INCLUDES HELPING THE
SOVIET SIDE OF THE 1956 HUNGARIAN REVOLUTION.
MR. HORN SERVED IN MILITIA UNITS THAT SAVED SECRET POLICE AGENTS
FROM ANTI-COMMUNIST REVOLUTIONARIES IN OCTOBER, 1956, AND LATER
TOOK PART IN CRUSHING THE LAST POCKETS OF RESISTANCE AS PART OF A
PARAMILITARY UNIT. MR. HORN SAYS IN HIS BOOK HE MAINLY GUARDED
BUILDINGS AND BRIDGES.
THE SOCIALIST PARTY IS EXPECTED TO NAME MR. HORN AS ITS CANDIDATE
FOR PRIME MINISTER AT A CONGRESS NEXT WEEKEND. AT THE SAME TIME,
MR. HORN SAYS HE SEES THE SECOND PLACE PARTY, THE LIBERAL
ALLIANCE OF FREE DEMOCRATS, AS THE SOCIALISTS' NATURAL ALLY IN A
COALITION GOVERNMENT. WITH 209 SEATS IN THE 386-SEAT PARLIAMENT,
THE SOCIALISTS DO NOT NEED THE LIBERALS TO GOVERN BUT INSTEAD
TO GIVE THEM TWO-THIRDS CONTROL OF PARLIAMENT, EASING THE WAY FOR
IMPORTANT LEGISLATION. A COALITION GOVERNMENT ALSO AVOIDS
RAISING BAD MEMORIES OF ONE-PARTY RULE.
THE ALLIANCE OF FREE DEMOCRATS IS KEEPING ITS OPTIONS OPEN. THE
LIBERALS EARLIER TALKED OF MR. HORN BEING UNACCEPTABLE AS A PRIME
MINISTER BECAUSE OF HIS COMMUNIST PAST. NOW PARTY LEADER IVAN
PETO SAYS SINCE THE SOCIALISTS HOLD AN ABSOLUTE MAJORITY, THE
SOCIALISTS ARE FREE TO NAME WHOMEVER THEY WANT.
///REST OPT///
MR. PETO, SPEAKING HERE THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, SAYS THE FREE
DEMOCRATS CAN ONLY JOIN A SOCIALIST-LED COALITION IF THEY ARE
GUARANTEED A ROLE IN IMPLEMENTING A LIBERAL ECONOMIC POLICY.
/// PETO ACT W/ INTERPRETER ///
THIS COMPROMISE CAN BE DONE ONLY IF A LIBERAL ECONOMIC
PROGRAM CAN BE SHOWN BY THE NEXT GOVERNMENT AND I SHOULD
LIKE THE EMPHASIZE THAT THE FREE DEMOCRATS CAN'T BALANCE
THE DIFFERENT WINGS IN THE SOCIALIST PARTY AND CAN'T
UNDERTAKE THE ROLE TO SOLVE THE DEBATE OF THE TRADE
UNIONS AND THE SOCIALIST PARTY.
/// END ACT ///
IF THE TRADE UNIONS DOMINATE THE INTERNAL SOCIALIST DEBATE BY
DEMANDING MORE PUBLIC SPENDING, THE LIBERALS ARE EXPECTED TO
DECIDE TO RETURN TO THE OPPOSITION.
THE FREE DEMOCRATS ADVOCATE FASTER PRIVATE ENTERPRISE AND HIGHER
TAXES. THE SOCIALIST PROGRAM OF MR. BEKESI IS SIMILAR IN ITS
PRO-FREE MARKET BIAS. HOWEVER, MR. BEKESI WAS MISSING WHEN MR.
HORN AND OTHER SOCIALIST LEADERS CLAIMED VICTORY SUNDAY NIGHT.
THE PROBABLE NEXT PRIME MINISTER HIGHLIGHTS MORE GOVERNMENT
SPENDING TO HELP PENSIONERS, EDUCATION AND HOUSING AS THE
SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT'S TOP PRIORITY. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/SKH/JS
30-May-94 12:56 PM EDT (1656 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
***************
DATE=5/30/94
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
NUMBER=5-17326 (**)
TITLE=HUNGARY-SOCIALISTS
BYLINE=RON PEMSTEIN
DATELINE=BUDAPEST
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
///RE-RUNNING W/CORRECT IN LAST GRAF ///
INTRO: AFTER THE FINAL ROUND OF ELECTIONS FOR PARLIAMENT,
HUNGARY'S SOCIALIST PARTY HAS SWEPT BACK INTO POWER AFTER FOUR
YEARS IN OPPOSITION. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BUDAPEST, THE
SOCIALISTS ARE SEARCHING FOR A COALITION PARTNER EVEN THOUGH THEY
CAPTURED A MAJORITY IN THE NEW PARLIAMENT.
TEXT: AS A LOCAL POLITICAL SCIENTIST PUT IT, "WE KNOW WHERE THE
SOCIALIST PARTY COMES FROM." HE WAS REFERRING TO ITS COMMUNIST
PAST. HE SAYS WHAT VOTERS DO NOT KNOW IS WHERE THE PARTY IS
GOING.
ONE REASON IT IS HARD TO CHARACTERIZE THE HUNGARIAN SOCIALIST
PARTY IS THAT IT IS MADE UP OF FOUR DISTINCT SECTIONS. ONE IS
THE TRADE UNIONS, THE TRADITIONAL WORKER SUPPORT FOR A LEFTWING
PARTY. THIS WING IS CONCERNED ABOUT 12 PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT AND
WANTS MORE GOVERNMENT SPENDING TO IMPROVE LIVING STANDARDS AND TO
HELP PENSIONERS HURT BY ECONOMIC REFORMS.
ANOTHER WING IS MADE UP OF YOUNGER MORE MODERN TECHNOCRATS SUCH
AS ECONOMIC EXPERT LASZLO BEKESI, WHO SPEAKS OF CUTTING
GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND TRYING TO GET CONTROL OF HUNGARY'S
ENORMOUS BUDGET DEFICIT.
A THIRD WING IS COMPOSED OF NEWLY-ELECTED SOCIALIST MEMBERS, WHO
ADVOCATE CONCERN FOR HUNGARIANS ABROAD, SOUNDING MUCH LIKE THE
DEFEATED CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT LED BY DEMOCRATIC FORUM.
THE FOURTH WING IS MADE OF WHAT A WESTERN DIPLOMAT CALLS, THE
PRAGMATIC APPARATCHIKS, MOST PROMINENT AMONG THEM IS PARTY
LEADER, GYULA HORN. WHILE THE WORLD REMEMBERS MR. HORN AS THE
FOREIGN MINISTER WHO OPENED THE IRON CURTAIN TO EAST GERMAN
REFUGEES IN 1989 AND HELPED TO CUT THE BARBED WIRE ON THE WESTERN
BORDER WITH AUSTRIA, HIS COMMUNIST HISTORY INCLUDES HELPING THE
SOVIET SIDE OF THE 1956 HUNGARIAN REVOLUTION.
MR. HORN SERVED IN MILITIA UNITS THAT SAVED SECRET POLICE AGENTS
FROM ANTI-COMMUNIST REVOLUTIONARIES IN OCTOBER, 1956, AND LATER
TOOK PART IN CRUSHING THE LAST POCKETS OF RESISTANCE AS PART OF A
PARAMILITARY UNIT. MR. HORN SAYS IN HIS BOOK HE MAINLY GUARDED
BUILDINGS AND BRIDGES.
THE SOCIALIST PARTY IS EXPECTED TO NAME MR. HORN AS ITS CANDIDATE
FOR PRIME MINISTER AT A CONGRESS NEXT WEEKEND. AT THE SAME TIME,
MR. HORN SAYS HE SEES THE SECOND PLACE PARTY, THE LIBERAL
ALLIANCE OF FREE DEMOCRATS, AS THE SOCIALISTS' NATURAL ALLY IN A
COALITION GOVERNMENT. WITH 209 SEATS IN THE 386-SEAT PARLIAMENT,
THE SOCIALISTS DO NOT NEED THE LIBERALS TO GOVERN BUT INSTEAD
TO GIVE THEM TWO-THIRDS CONTROL OF PARLIAMENT, EASING THE WAY FOR
IMPORTANT LEGISLATION. A COALITION GOVERNMENT ALSO AVOIDS
RAISING BAD MEMORIES OF ONE-PARTY RULE.
THE ALLIANCE OF FREE DEMOCRATS IS KEEPING ITS OPTIONS OPEN. THE
LIBERALS EARLIER TALKED OF MR. HORN BEING UNACCEPTABLE AS A PRIME
MINISTER BECAUSE OF HIS COMMUNIST PAST. NOW PARTY LEADER IVAN
PETO SAYS SINCE THE SOCIALISTS HOLD AN ABSOLUTE MAJORITY, THE
SOCIALISTS ARE FREE TO NAME WHOMEVER THEY WANT.
///REST OPT///
MR. PETO, SPEAKING HERE THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, SAYS THE FREE
DEMOCRATS CAN ONLY JOIN A SOCIALIST-LED COALITION IF THEY ARE
GUARANTEED A ROLE IN IMPLEMENTING A LIBERAL ECONOMIC POLICY.
/// PETO ACT W/ INTERPRETER ///
THIS COMPROMISE CAN BE DONE ONLY IF A LIBERAL ECONOMIC
PROGRAM CAN BE SHOWN BY THE NEXT GOVERNMENT AND I SHOULD
LIKE THE EMPHASIZE THAT THE FREE DEMOCRATS CAN'T BALANCE
THE DIFFERENT WINGS IN THE SOCIALIST PARTY AND CAN'T
UNDERTAKE THE ROLE TO SOLVE THE DEBATE OF THE TRADE
UNIONS AND THE SOCIALIST PARTY.
/// END ACT ///
IF THE TRADE UNIONS DOMINATE THE INTERNAL SOCIALIST DEBATE BY
DEMANDING MORE PUBLIC SPENDING, THE LIBERALS ARE EXPECTED TO
DECIDE TO RETURN TO THE OPPOSITION.
THE FREE DEMOCRATS ADVOCATE FASTER PRIVATE ENTERPRISE AND
L/O/W/E/R TAXES. THE SOCIALIST PROGRAM OF MR. BEKESI IS SIMILAR
IN ITS PRO-FREE MARKET BIAS. HOWEVER, MR. BEKESI WAS MISSING
WHEN MR. HORN AND OTHER SOCIALIST LEADERS CLAIMED VICTORY SUNDAY
NIGHT. THE PROBABLE NEXT PRIME MINISTER HIGHLIGHTS MORE
GOVERNMENT SPENDING TO HELP PENSIONERS, EDUCATION AND HOUSING AS
THE SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT'S TOP PRIORITY. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/SKH/JS
30-May-94 8:07 PM EDT (0007 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
**************
DATE=6/1/94
TYPE=CLOSEUP
NUMBER=4-07468
TITLE=HUNGARIAN ELECTION WRAP
BYLINE=PAMELA TAYLOR
TELEPHONE=619-1101
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
EDITOR=THOMAS SLINKARD
CONTENT= // INSERTS AVAILABLE FROM AUDIO SERVICES //
INTRO: HUNGARY'S SOCIALISTS HAVE BECOME THE LATEST OF THE
REGION'S RECONSTITUTED COMMUNISTS TO BE VOTED BACK INTO
POWER NOT LONG AFTER BEING OVERTHROWN BY THE POPULAR
REVOLUTIONS OF 1989. DISILLUSIONED WITH THE SLOW AND
PAINFUL TRANSFORMATION TO A FREE MARKET ECONOMY,
HUNGARIAN VOTERS, LIKE THOSE IN LITHUANIA AND POLAND
BEFORE THEM, ARE DEMONSTRATING A NOSTALGIA FOR WHAT THEY
SAY WERE THE THE GOOD OLD DAYS WHEN JOBS, HEALTH CARE
AND PENSIONS WERE GUARANTEED BY THE STATE. VOA'S PAMELA
TAYLOR TAKES A LOOK AT JUST HOW REFORMIST HUNGARY'S NEW
SOCIALISTS ARE -- AND HOW REFORMIST THE ELECTORATE WANTS
THEM TO BE:
TEXT: HUNGARY'S NEW SOCIALIST PARTY WOULD NOT BE RECOGNIZED BY
KARL MARX ANY MORE THAN ADAM SMITH WOULD HAVE RECOGNIZED
THE REFORMISTS OF THE OUTGOING RULING DEMOCRATIC FORUM.
THE SOCIALIST LANDSLIDE VICTORY IN LAST SUNDAY'S
PARLIAMENTARY RUNOFF HAS SWEPT INTO POWER A DIVERSE
GROUP WITH CONFLICTING INTERESTS. THEY INCLUDE
OLD-STYLE COMMUNIST APPARATCHIKS, LABOR UNION LEADERS,
REFORMED SOCIAL DEMOCRATS AND NEW CAPITALIST
OPPORTUNISTS BORN OF THE OLD PARTY ELITE.
EVEN WITH AN ABSOLUTE PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY OF 209
SEATS OUT OF 386, THIS DIVERGENT GROUP OF SOCIALISTS
WILL NEED TO FORM A BROADER COALITION WITH THE 70-SEAT
ALLIANCE OF FREE DEMOCRATS IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH THEIR
LEGISLATIVE GOALS. BUT THE FREE DEMOCRATS ARE NOT AT
ALL SURE THEY WANT TO JOIN A SOCIALIST COALITION. A
FREE DEMOCRAT WHO IS A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, GASPAR
MIKLOS TAMAS, TOLD A RECENT CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON HE,
FOR ONE, WILL NOT BE A PART OF THE NEW COALITION. HE
THINKS THE HUNGARIAN ELECTORATE IS LOOKING TOO FONDLY
BACK TO THE LAST COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT OF MIKLOS NEMETH
AND UNFAIRLY JUDGING THE GOVERNMENT OF JOSEF ANTALL (WHO
DIED LAST DECEMBER):
TAPE: CUT # 1 TAMAS RUNS [:24]
"WHAT PEOPLE REMEMBER ABOUT THE SOCIALIST PARTY IS THE
NEMETH GOVERNMENT, MIKLOS NEMETH WAS LAST COMMUNIST
PRIME MINISTER. THE NEMETH GOVERNMENT WAS A VERY GOOD
GOVERNMENT AS COMMUNIST GOVERNMENTS GO, WHILE THE ANTALL
GOVERNMENT WAS A VERY BAD GOVERNMENT AS DEMOCRATIC
GOVERNMENTS GO. BUT OF COURSE THE ANTALL GOVERNMENT WAS
MUCH BETTER THAN THE NEMETH GOVERNMENT IN ABSOLUTE TERMS
- BUT THIS IS NOT HOW OUR COMPATRIOTS THINK!"
TEXT: MR. TAMAS SAYS THE FREE DEMOCRATS ARE UNEASY ABOUT THE
POSSIBILITY FORMER COMMUNIST FOREIGN MINISTER GUYLA HORN
WILL BE THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER. MR. HORN'S MILITIA
HELPED SUPPRESS HUNGARY'S BLOODY UPRISING IN 1956. THE
FREE DEMOCRATS WOULD PREFER THEIR OWN LEADER, GABOR
KUNCZE, TO HEAD THE COALITION -- SOMETHING THE
SOCIALISTS ARE LIKELY TO OPPOSE. AT THE VERY LEAST, THE
FREE DEMOCRATS ARE INSISTING THE SOCIALISTS ADOPT THEIR
ECONOMIC PROGRAM AS THE PRICE FOR JOINING THE COALITION.
WHETHER OR NOT THE FREE DEMOCRATS JOIN THEM, THE
SOCIALISTS HAVE A FINE BALANCING ACT AHEAD. WHILE
PROMISING VOTERS JOBS, FREE MEDICAL CARE AND OTHER
COMMUNIST-ERA BENEFITS, MR. HORN HAS REASSURED WESTERN
GOVERNMENTS THERE WILL BE NO RETURN TO THE OLD ORDER.
HUNGARY IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO SEEK MEMBERSHIP IN
THE EUROPEAN UNION. HOWEVER, MANY SOCIALISTS OPPOSE
HUNGARY'S APPLICATION TO JOIN NATO. VALERIE BUNCE OF
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY'S EAST EUROPEAN STUDIES PROGRAM
SAYS, NEVERTHELESS, SHE IS NOT ALARMED BY THE
SOCIALIST VICTORY:
TAPE: CUT # 2 BUNCE [:42]
"I FEEL MUCH MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THE HUNGARIAN
SOCIALISTS THAN I DO FOR EXAMPLE WITH THE
NON-RECONSTITUTED LEFT IN RUSSIA. ANOTHER THE VICTORY
OF THE SOCIALISTS IN HUNGARY WILL APPLY PRESSURES ON
OTHER PARTIES IN HUNGARY. IT CAN SCARE THEM ENOUGH TO
REGROUP THEM. WE'RE GOING TO SEE A PERIOD OF UNSTABLE
GOVERNMENT. MY GUESS IS IF A COALITION GOVERNMENT COULD
BE FORMED, THE PRESSURES ON THE SOCIALISTS WOULD BE
LESS."
TEXT: MS. BUNCE THINKS THE MOST DIFFICULT TASK THE SOCIALISTS
FACE WILL BE APPEASING TRADE UNION DEMANDS FOR GREATER
PUBLIC SPENDING WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ENCOURAGING
FOREIGN INVESTMENT.
OTHERS WARN THAT AS REFORMIST AS THE SOCIALIST PARTY
APPEARS TO BE, HUNGARY'S ELECTORATE IS MUCH FARTHER TO
THE LEFT AND WILL LIKELY PUSH LEGISLATORS IN THE
DIRECTION OF MORE SOCIAL BENEFITS AND AWAY FROM FREE
MARKET REFORMS. COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY'S CHARLES GATI
TELLS A STORY ABOUT A CAMPAIGN SPEECH BY GYULA HORN
WHICH ILLUSTRATES THE POINT:
TAPE CUT # 3 GATI RUNS [:]
"MR. HORN WAS GIVING A SPEECH IN WHICH HE SAID WE DON'T
WANT TO BRING THE OLD REGIME BACK, ONLY THE OLD EXPERTS
AND AT THAT POINT SOMEBODY YELLED 'WHY? WHAT WAS WRONG
WITH THE OLD REGIME?' WHEN HE ASKED THAT QUESTION THERE
WAS A TREMENDOUS OUTBREAK OF APPLAUSE IN THE AUDIENCE.
THE QUESTIONS FROM THE CROWD WERE FAR TO THEIR LEFT.
AND ONE IMPORTANT QUESTION (NOW) WILL BE TO WHAT EXTENT
THE LEADERSHIP WILL BE ABLE TO CONTROL THEIR
SUPPORTERS."
TEXT: WHATEVER THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THE LANDSLIDE SOCIALIST
VICTORY IN HUNGARY, MOST OBSERVERS AGREE WITH MR. GATI
THAT THERE IS NO CHANCE HUNGARY WILL RETURN TO A
DICTATORSHIP OR A ONE PARTY SYSTEM. AT THE WORST, THEY
SAY, THE SOCIALISTS WILL BE UNABLE TO ATTRACT THE
MODERATE FREE DEMOCRATS INTO A COALITION GOVERNMENT AND
WILL BE SO DISORGANIZED THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO
GOVERN. MANY SAY THE RESULTING CHAOS COULD LEAD TO NEW
ELECTIONS IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
THE PROBLEM, WESTERN ECONOMISTS WARN, IS TRYING TO
BALANCE SOCIALISM AND CAPITALISM. THEY JUST DOESN'T ADD
UP, THEY SAY -- SUCH A LEDGER SIMPLY CAN'T BE BALANCED.
(SIGNED)
NEB / PT / TLS
01-Jun-94 6:10 PM EDT (2210 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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