1998
1998
11 Feb. Media tycoon János Fenyő is assassinated in his car on the street.
31 March Accession negotiations begin between Hungary and the European Union.
10 May The first round of the parliamentary elections. In the second round, held on 24 May, Fidesz–Magyar Polgári Párt prevails with 38.34% (148 seats) and MSZP is in second place with 34.72% (134 seats). Further ranking: FKGP 12.44% (48 seats), SZDSZ 6.22% (24 seats), MDF 4.4% (17 seats), and MIÉP 3.63% (14 seats).
20 June Gábor Kuncze resigns on the eve of the parliamentary elections. Bálint Magyar is elected his successor to the SZDSZ party presidency.
2 July Unknown perpetrators blow up businessman József Károly Boross in Aranykéz utca. He allegedly collaborated with key figures of the underworld – according to the press.
8 July At age 35, the youngest Prime Minister in Hungary’s history, Viktor Orbán introduces a new, 17-member coalition government (Fidesz, FKGP and MDF).
25 Aug. Viktor Orbán announces at the national convention of Fidesz that intelligence was being collected during the previous government on the heads and family members of Fidesz, using public funds and illegal, covert means.
5 Sept. Gyula Horn resigns from MSZP presidency. His successor and new parliamentary faction leader is László Kovács.
29 Oct. The government decides to stop construction on the new National Theater in Erzsébet tér.
4 Nov. The century’s highest floods on the River Tisza reach Hungary.
23 Nov. The expiration of the terms of the last three founding judges heralds the end of the Constitutional Court’s inaugural period. János Németh is elected to succeed László Sólyom.
