23
CONFIDENTIAL
Huryana / HK
Trade office for
026770
MDLIAN 6171
CONFIDENTIAL
FM BUDAPEST
TO ROUTINE FCO
TELNO 279
OF 23144OZ APRIL 90
FORMATION OF THE NEW HUNGARIAN GOVERNMENT
SUMMARY
HKB 020/13.
х
1. THE DELAY IN FORMING THE NEW GOVERNMENT, NOT EXPECTED IN OFFICE BEFORE MID MAY, IS LEADING TO CHARGES OF INDECISION AND LACK OF TALENT. SOME TRUTH IN THIS. BUT ANTALL MAY BE WISE TO PICK THE RIGHT TEAM RATHER THAN RUSH ONTO THE FIELD.
DETAIL
2. ANTALL, THE DEMOCRATIC FORUM LEADER, IS MAKING SLOW AND DIFFICULT PROGRESS IN PUTTING TOGETHER A COALITION AND A CABINET. HIS MAIN PARTNERS, THE SMALLHOLDERS AND THE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATS, THOUGH PROMISED AGRICULTURE AND HEALTH RESPECTIVELY, ARE DEMANDING A LARGE NUMBER OF JUNIOR POSTS AS THEIR PRICE. BUT ANTALL'S BIGGEST PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE FINDING A SOUND ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL TEAM WHILE KEEPING THE WILDER ELEMENTS OF HIS PARTY AT BAY. HE IS GETTING PLENTY OF UNSOLICITED OFFERS. RUMOURS ABOUND. JESZENSZKY, WHO SEEMS DESTINED FOR THE FOREIGN MINISTRY, TOLD ME THAT THE NET WAS BEING CAST WIDER AND THAT SOME OF THOSE UNDER CONSIDERATION WERE UNAWARE OF THEIR FATE.
3. THE PRESENT LINE UP APPEARS TO BE AS FOLLOWS, THOUGH I WOULD
NOT PUT ANY MONEY ON IT.
PRIME MINISTER:
FOREIGN MINISTER:
DEFENCE:
FINANCE:
ECONOMICS/TRADE:
INDUSTRY:
ANTALL
JESZENSZKY MDF
RAFFAY
MDF
BETHLEN
MDF/SURANYI INDEPENDENT
BOD
MDF
SZELES
MDF
KULIN
MDF
CULTURE:
INTERIOR:
FUR/KERSZTES BOTH MDF
AGRICULTURE:
HEALTH:
UGRIN,
SMALLHOLDERS
CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATS