First Orbán Government

The First Orbán Government was the fourth democratically elected government in Hungary after the regime change. It existed between 1998 and 2002. Its creation was made possible by the FKgP: the party withdrew 82 candidates in the second round of the election, so FKgP voters voted for the local Fidesz candidate instead, thus reversing the election result. Due to the resignations in the Parliament afterwards, the votes of the way smaller but still large number of 48 smallholder representatives were essential for the formation of the government. The governmental relationship between the two parties was formed by the coalition agreement developed by the negotiating delegations, led by László Kövér and Béla Szabadi. The coalition government consisted of three parties: Fidesz, FKgP and MDF. The latter was introduced to the Parliament with the help of Fidesz. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán took his oath of office on July 6, 1998, and his ministers took office on July 8, two days later. The coalition was dissolved in 2001, if not formally, but on its merits: the coalition agreement virtually expired. The FKgP could not even recall Imre Boros, even though the right to nominate belonged to the party. From the moment that József Torgyán, the chairman of the FKgP, was forced to resign as a minister because of his son's so called "cassette case", although he was able to retain his position within the party, but his position weakened considerably: his party faction expelled the party chairman from the group with votes from Fidesz supporters and in violation of house rules. He assured the government of the support of five members who had previously been expelled or separated from the smallholder faction, leaving a majority in the National Assembly for a time. At the same time, the government received external support from MIÉP.

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First Orbán Government
65th Cabinet of Hungary
Date formed	8 July 1998
Date dissolved	27 May 2002
People and organisations
Head of state	Árpád Göncz (Ind.) Ferenc Mádl (Ind.)
Head of government	Viktor Orbán
Member party	Fidesz, MDF, FKgP
Status in legislature	Majority 213 / 386 (55%)
Opposition party	MSZP, MIÉP and SZDSZ
Opposition leader	Gyula Horn, László Kovács (MSZP) Gábor Kuncze, Bálint Magyar (SZDSZ) István Csurka (MIÉP)
History
Election	1998 election
Outgoing election	2002 election
Legislature term	1998-2002
Predecessor	Horn Government
Successor	Medgyessy Government

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