rendszerváltozást

Rendszerváltozás, meaning "system change" in Hungarian, refers to the period in Hungarian history that began in 1989 and marked the end of one-party communist rule and the transition to a democratic, multi-party political system. This transition was a complex process characterized by peaceful negotiations, mass demonstrations, and significant political reforms. The underlying causes included widespread dissatisfaction with the economic stagnation, lack of political freedoms, and the influence of changing geopolitical circumstances, particularly the weakening of Soviet influence in Eastern Europe.

Key events of the rendszerváltozás include the rise of opposition movements, such as the Hungarian Democratic Forum and the Alliance of Free Democrats, which advocated for democratic reforms. The pivotal moment was the reburial of Imre Nagy, a key figure in the 1956 uprising, in June 1989, symbolizing a reckoning with the past and a move towards a new political future. Negotiations between the ruling Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party and the opposition led to the amendment of the constitution, paving the way for free elections in 1990. These elections resulted in the formation of the first democratically elected government since before World War II, officially concluding the rendszerváltozás. The period laid the foundation for Hungary's integration into Western political and economic structures.