Gyorgy Szabad: Historian who survived the Holocaust and took part in the talks that led to the end of Hungarian communism
He was one of the founders of the centre-right Democratic Forum party, which won the country's first democratic elections in 1990
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Gyorgy Szabad, who has died at the age of 90, was a historian who survived forced labour during the Holocaust to become the Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly. A university history professor, and a Member of the National Assembly from 1990-98, he also played a key role in the negotiations in 1989 and 1990 which led to the end of Hungary's communist regime.
He was one of the founders of the centre-right Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) party, which won the country's first democratic elections in 1990 and formed a coalition government with two other right-wing parties. After becoming an MP that year, he became a deputy speaker of Parliament and, some months later, was elected Speaker, serving until 1994. His areas of historical expertise included Hungarian economic and social history and the development of the country's middle class.
Szabad was "one of the leading figures of national thought and the new Hungarian democracy," said a joint statement from President Janos Ader, Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Parliamentary Speaker Laszlo Kover.
Szabad was born into a Hungarian-Jewish family in Arad, Romania, in 1924, and moved to Budapest as a child. His university application was rejected because of a Hungarian policy which limited the number of Jews in higher education. Instead, he worked for a time as an apprentice gardener. In October 1944 he escaped from a forced labour brigade, to which many Hungarian Jewish men were sent during the Holocaust. In 1945 he was captured by Soviet troops for more forced labour, but again was able to escape.
Gyorgy Szabad, historian and politician: married twice (one daughter); born Arad, Romania 4 August 1924; died 3 July 2015.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments