Goncz, «gurnz,» Arpad, «AHR pahd»
(1922-...), became president of Hungary in 1990. Goncz has written plays, short
stories, and a novel and has won several literary prizes.
Goncz was born in Budapest. He earned a degree in
law in 1944 from Peter Pazmany Catholic University in Budapest (capital of
Hungary). Between 1947 and
1948, he headed the Budapest youth organization of the Independent Smallholders'
Party and edited the youth journal Nezmedek (Generation). In the late
40's, Communists won control of Hungary's government and banned all
non-Communist parties. The Independent Smallholders' Party was forced to
dissolve.
From 1948 to 1951, Goncz worked as a welder
because he could find no other employment. From 1952 to 1956, he studied
at Godollo University of Agricultural Sciences and worked for the Agricultural
Ministry.
In the mid-1950's, there was much
social unrest in Hungary because of the Communist government's increasing restrictions
on people freedom. In 1956, a revolution spread through the country. But troops
from the Soviet Union poured into Hungary and prevented the uprising. Goncz was
among the many Hungarians who were jailed for taking part in the revolution. He
remained in prison until a general pardon was given in 1963. From the time of
his release until the late 80's, Goncz spent his time writing and doing
literary.
In
the late 80's, people throughout Eastern Europe and in the Soviet Union
demanded reforms. In Hungary in 1989, the government made sweeping
revisions in the country's constitution. The revisions changed the structure of
the Hungarian government from a one-party Communist state to a multiparty
parliamentary system and created a new office of president. Goncz had helped to
found a liberal political party, the Alliance of Free Democrats, in 1988. In
elections held in mid-1990, Goncz's party won the second largest number of
votes. Goncz won a seat in the parliament, the National Assembly. He was chosen
the Assembly leader and thus became acting president of Hungary. In August 1990,
the Assembly members elected Goncz Hungary's president. They reelected him in
1995
Born:
February 10, 1922, in Budapest
Education: Ph.D. in law, Pazmany Peter University (1944); Studies at
Godollo University of Agricultural Sciences (1952-56).
Occupation: Politician, writer, translator
Family: Married; four children.
Early Years: Attorney, National Land Credit Institute 1944-45; Editor,
Nemzedek 1947-48; Welder 1949-51; Soil conservationist 1951-56; Technical
translator 1963-65; Literary translator and winner of various literary prizes
1983-91; President, Writers Union 1988-89; President, Hungarian Writers
Association 1989-90.
Political Career: Member and secretary to the secretary general,
Independent Smallholders Party, and president, Independent Youth, Budapest
chapter 1947-48; Imprisoned for sedition 1957-63; Founding member, Alliance of
Free Democrats (SZDSZ); Elected member of parliament, speaker of parliament,
interim president 1990; Elected president (August 1990).
Office: Office of the President, Kossuth ter 3-5, 1055 Budapest.
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