Hungary's reform premier who opened a gate in 1989
Hungary's border opening accelerated the East European chain of events leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
An economic-policy figure in Hungary's ruling party, he became the last prime minister of the Hungarian People's Republic in late 1988. As part of the reform leadership he pursued political and economic transition, and allowed East Germans to cross the Austrian border in 1989.
Career Timeline
- 1988–1990Last prime minister of the Hungarian People's Republic
- 1989Allows East Germans to cross the Austrian border
- 1989–1990Leads government during the transition to multiparty politics
Related historical events
1989 Border Opening: Lifting the Iron Curtain
Prime Minister Németh's decision to open the border was a phased action prepared from early 1989. In November 1988, Hungarian border authorities presented three options for the ageing Soviet-built fence: modernisation, complete reconstruction, or dismantling. Németh backed the third, removing renovation costs from the December budget. In March 1989 he met Gorbachev in Moscow and informed him of the plan to demolish the fence; Gorbachev replied that 'as long as the border is guarded, it is your responsibility,' effectively approving the move. When Németh asked what Moscow would do if a post-election government proved unsympathetic, Gorbachev answered that 'as long as you see me in this chair, 1956 will never happen again,' confirming the death of the Brezhnev doctrine.
Dismantling began at Rajka in April 1989. By the time the decision was made public on 2 May, two-thirds of the fence was already gone. Hard-line leaders (Honecker, Ceaușescu, Zhivkov) protested, but Gorbachev did not intervene. Over the summer, tens of thousands of East Germans stayed in Hungary refusing to return home. In early August Németh phoned West German Chancellor Kohl to discuss opening the border. On 19 August the Pan-European Picnic near Sopron saw roughly 700 East Germans cross, though Németh later recalled this as a consequence, not the cause, of the decision. On 25 August, meeting Kohl at Gymnich Castle, Németh promised to open the border if West Germany was ready to receive the refugees; tears welled in Kohl's eyes.
The official announcement came on 10–11 September 1989. East Germans began crossing freely into Austria, setting off the chain reaction that brought down the Berlin Wall two months later.