Catholic priest-politician who signed the armistice, Smallholder general secretary and founder of the Independent Hungarian Democratic Party
Born to a family of Jewish origin whose surname was originally Bloch (or Blech), he studied theology in Temesvár and was ordained in 1918. Parish priest of Szeged-Alsóváros in 1930–1946, he edited a Catholic paper. In 1944 he founded the Szeged organisation of the Independent Smallholders’ Party and chaired the Szeged National Committee, and as state secretary in the prime minister’s office in 1944–1947 he signed the armistice in Moscow on 20 January 1945. He became general secretary of the Smallholders in 1947 but left in June to found the Independent Hungarian Democratic Party, which won 5.2% in that year’s election. In 1949 he joined the Independence People’s Front and cooperated with the Communists; he kept out of the 1956 revolution.
Activities and affiliations
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1918–1976
Catholic ChurchCatholic priest
Religion -
1944–1947
Hungary state institutionsState Secretary, Prime Minister’s OfficeMain
Government and administration -
1944–1947
Independent Smallholders' Party (FKGP)
Political and party leadership -
1945–1951
Hungary state institutionsMember of Parliament
Legislature and state representation -
1947–1949
Independent Hungarian Democratic Party (FMDP)
Political and party leadership
Career Timeline
- 1918Ordained priest
- 1930–1946Parish priest of Szeged-Alsóváros
- 1944Founds the Szeged Smallholders; chairs the Szeged National Committee
- 1944–1947State secretary in the prime minister’s office
- 1945.01.20Signs the armistice in Moscow
- 1947General secretary of the Smallholders
- 1947.07Founds the Independent Hungarian Democratic Party
- 1949Joins the Independence People’s Front