WORLD : Hungary Becomes a Democracy
Parliament today overwhelmingly approved constitutional amendments that are to transform communist Hungary into a multi-party democracy.
Among the 94 changes passed by the 380-member Parliament were amendments eliminating all references to the leading role of the newly dissolved Communist Party. Justice Minister Kalman Kulcsar said they effectively end one-party rule in the East Bloc nation.
The country’s formal name also was changed from People’s Republic of Hungary to Republic of Hungary to reflect a break with the communist past.
Another change in the 1949 Constitution abolishes the 21-person collective presidency and replaces it with the office of the president.
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