Mátyás Szűrös facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mátyás Szűrös
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Szűrös in 2001
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Acting President of Hungary | |
In office 23 October 1989 – 2 May 1990 |
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Prime Minister | Miklós Németh |
Preceded by | Brunó Ferenc Straub (as Chairman of the Presidential Council of Hungary) |
Succeeded by | Árpád Göncz |
Speaker of the National Assembly | |
In office 10 March 1989 – 23 October 1989 |
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Preceded by | István Stadinger |
Succeeded by | István Fodor (acting) Árpád Göncz |
Personal details | |
Born | Püspökladány, Hungary |
11 September 1933
Political party | MSZMP (?–1989) MSZP (1989–2002) New Left Party (2002–2003) SZDP (2003–2013) |
Spouse | Andrea Takács |
Children | Mátyás Iván Lili Andrea |
Mátyás Szűrös, born on September 11, 1933, is a Hungarian politician. He was the temporary president of Hungary from October 23, 1989, to May 2, 1990. His time as president was important because it happened when Hungary was changing from a Communist country to a democratic one.
Mátyás Szűrös's Political Journey
Mátyás Szűrös was a key figure during a big change in Hungary. He served as the Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary, which is like the leader of the country's parliament. He held this role from March 1989 to May 1990.
Becoming Provisional President
In the fall of 1989, Hungary was moving away from its Communist past. Leaders from the Communist party and other political groups worked together. They wanted to create a new system where people could choose their leaders in elections.
As part of this change, Hungary's old constitution was updated. The "Presidential Council," which was the country's collective leadership during the Communist era, was ended. Because of these changes, Mátyás Szűrös became the temporary president. He would serve until a new president could be properly elected by the people.
On October 23, 1989, soon after he became president, Szűrös made a very important announcement. He officially declared that Hungary was no longer the "People's Republic of Hungary." From that day on, it would be known simply as the "Republic of Hungary." This was a big step towards a more open and democratic country.
After His Presidency
After his time as temporary president, Mátyás Szűrös continued to be a member of the Hungarian parliament. He stayed in parliament until 2002. During this time, he was part of the Hungarian Socialist Party. Sometimes, he would vote differently from what his party usually agreed on.
In 2002, he left the Socialist Party. He then joined a new political group called the New Left Party. He even ran as their candidate for prime minister in the elections. However, his new party did not get many votes.
In 2003, he joined another party, the Social Democratic Party. He later became the chairman, or leader, of this party. He stepped down from this position in 2005.