Medgyessy Government

The Medgyessy Government was the fifth government of Hungary after the regime change.

Medgyessy Government
66th Cabinet of Hungary
Date formed	27 May 2002
Date dissolved	4 October 2004
People and organisations
Head of state	Ferenc Mádl (Ind.)
Head of government	Péter Medgyessy
Member party	MSZP, SZDSZ, Agrarian Alliance
Status in legislature	Majority 198 / 386 (51%)
Opposition party	Fidesz, KDNP, MDF
Opposition leader	Viktor Orbán, János Áder (Fidesz) Zsolt Semjén (KDNP) Ibolya Dávid (MDF)
History
Election	7 and 21 April 2002
Outgoing election	-
Legislature term	2002-2006
Predecessor	First Orbán Government
Successor	First Gyurcsány Government

History

The government was formed by the same two parties as the Horn Government between 1994 and 1998: the MSZP and the SZDSZ. Interestingly, Prime Minister Péter Medgyessy was not a member of any governing party (nor any other party). The government took the oath of office on 27 May 2002.

The coalition was in crisis twice: first in 2002, when it was revealed that Medgyessy was a secret agent before the system change (D-209). At that time, the SZDSZ still assured Medgyessy of his trust and helped him stay in his position. The second crisis occurred in August 2004, when Medgyessy wanted to replace István Csillag, Minister of Economy, during a government change. In response, the SZDSZ (whose candidate was Csillag) withdrew confidence from the head of government, who “fled” to resign from the impending motion of censure. The Prime Minister first wanted to resign on 25 August, but withdrew a little later, but submitted it; following his resignation, he served as Executive Prime Minister until 29 September 2004. The prime minister's successor was Ferenc Gyurcsány and his first government.

Party breakdown

Office	Image	Incumbent	Political party		In office
Prime Minister		Péter Medgyessy		Independent	27 May 2002 - 29 September 2004
		Ferenc Gyurcsány		MSZP	29 September 2004 - 3 October 2004
Minister of the Prime Minister's Office		Elemér Kiss		Independent	27 May 2002 - 21 February 2003
		Péter Kiss		MSZP	21 February 2003 - 3 October 2004
Minister of Internal Affairs		Mónika Lamperth		MSZP	27 May 2002 - 3 October 2004
Minister of Foreign Affairs		László Kovács		MSZP	27 May 2002 - 3 October 2004
Minister of Finance		Csaba László		Independent	May 27, 2002 - 15 February 2004
		Tibor Draskovics		Independent	16 February 2004 - 4 October 2004
Minister of Economy and Transport		István Csillag		Independent	27 May 2002 - 3 October 2004
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development		Imre Németh		Independent (supported by ASZ)	27 May 2002 - 3 October 2004
Minister of Justice		Péter Bárándy		Independent	27 May 2002 - 3 October 2004
Minister of Health, Social and Family Affairs		Judit Csehák		MSZP	27 May 2002 - 14 September 2003
		Mihály Kökény		MSZP	14 September 2003 - 3 October 2004
Minister of National Cultural Heritage		Gábor Görgey		Independent	27 May 2002 - 18 May 2003
		István Hiller		MSZP	18 May 2003 - 3 October 2004
Minister of Education		Bálint Magyar		SZDSZ	27 May 2002 - 3 October 2004
Minister of Social Affairs and Labour		Péter Kiss		MSZP	27 May 2002 - 2 March 2003
		Sándor Burány		MSZP	2 March 2003 - 3 October 2004
Minister of Defence		Ferenc Juhász		MSZP	27 May 2002 - 3 October 2004
Minister of Environment and Water		Mária Kóródi		SZDSZ	27 May 2002 - 18 May 2003
		Miklós Persányi		Independent	18 May 2003 - 3 October 2004
Minister of Youth and Sport		György Jánosi		MSZP	27 May 2002 - 18 May 2003
		Ferenc Gyurcsány		MSZP	18 May 2003 - 3 October 2004
Minister for Communication		Kálmán Kovács		SZDSZ	4 October 2004 - 9 June 2006
Minister without portfolio for European Integration		Etele Baráth		Independent	27 May 2002 - 3 October 2004
Minister without portfolio for Equal Opportunities		Katalin Lévai		MSZP	27 May 2002 - 3 October 2004