The question of universal suffrage in Hungary after the First World War, 1918–19

Abstract

ABSTRACT The fall of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy in 1918 resulted in the collapse of the historic Hungarian kingdom. As the result of the revolution of October 1918, a republican form of government was proclaimed on 16 November 1918 that functioned until the Bolshevik coup of 21 March 1919. An undisputed result of this era was the declaration of universal suffrage. Count Mihály Károlyi, the leader of the republic, introduced universal suffrage via a regulation called ‘The People’s Act’. Elections could not be held, due to the coup of the communists. When the ‘Soviet Republic’ also collapsed on 1 August 1919, the new conservative leaders decided to lead Hungary back to its old monarchic constitution. The parliament that had been dissolved in 1918 could not be reinstated. With the consent of the occupying forces, Prime Minister István Friedrich issued a decree on 17 November 1919. This decree basically retained Károlyi’s ‘People’s Act’ in effect, with some minor modifications. The Entente accepted this solution in order to negotiate the peace terms with a democratically elected Hungarian government. Elections could be therefore be held on 25–26 January 1920 based on a democratic suffrage.