Hungary Premier Vows to ‘Take Risks’ in Overhaul

Premier Karoly Grosz, campaigning to replace Janos Kadar as Hungary’s Communist leader, told a party conference Saturday he favored a “renewal” of one-party rule that would “get rid of ideological prejudices” yet incorporate features of the Western multiparty system.

Grosz, who hopes to win a rare combination of powers by becoming both general secretary of the ruling Hungarian Socialist Workers’ Party and premier, turned aside calls for the recognition of social movements, unions and even political parties outside Communist control. But he pledged a government that “dares to take risks and responsibility and is ready to face the unavoidable conflicts.”

‘Intends to Cooperate’

During a 15-minute speech that opened the conference’s second day of public and remarkably open debate, Grosz said the government “guarantees democracy and . . . intends to cooperate with all who profess views that serve the benefit of socialism but are contrary to the government’s position.”

Grosz’s speech appeared intended to consolidate his support among the 941 delegates who are due to elect a new Central Committee, Politburo and general secretary today.

Kadar, Hungary’s leader since the Soviet invasion of 1956, is under strong pressure to retire. Several senior party officials said Saturday that they expected Grosz to replace Kadar but added they could not be certain. It is possible the veteran chief, who will be 76 next week, would make a last-ditch bid to stay in power.

Middle Ground

The premier’s position on reforms appeared to mark a middle ground between Kadar--who Friday strongly condemned dissidents inside and outside the party and suggested a relatively cautious reform course--and liberal party leaders who have pressed for radical moves, including acceptance of pluralism.

No Soviet Bloc country has experimented with political pluralism since Poland’s legalization of the Solidarity independent union in 1980 led to 16 months of internal strife and the eventual imposition of martial law.

Going into the conference, Grosz and other top party leaders had taken a firm stand against accepting a dilution of the party’s “leading role.”

However, in battling against conservative rivals, Grosz has appeared to ally himself with the party’s liberal wing.

‘Temporary Solution’

Imre Pozsgay, head of the Patriotic People’s Front and the liberals’ leader, indirectly confirmed he was supporting Grosz’s bid for the dual position of party chief and premier “as a temporary solution.”

Pozsgay said the party eventually would have to accept social and political movements outside its control, adding “I think the breakthrough in this position has taken place already.” In the last nine months, a number of new groups, ranging from non-Communist political clubs to an independent student organization, have sprung up in defiance of official declarations that they are illegal.

Pozsgay and Grosz indicated that a new leadership would seek to expand democratic procedures and channels for minority views within the party to such an extent that many features of a multiparty system would exist within the overall Communist framework.