Hungary’s first democratically elected president Árpád Göncz, has died aged 93. He was elected twice by parliament and is credited with steering the
ADVERTISEMENTHungary’s first democratically elected president Árpád Göncz, has died aged 93.
He was elected twice by parliament and is credited with steering the country towards a market economy.
Goncz joined the resistance against the Nazis during World War Two but was jailed after Hungary’s failed 1956 uprising against Soviet rule.
He was later freed under an amnesty when he return to politics co-founding the liberal Alliance of Free Democrats.
A lawyer by education he was also an translator and playwright but his political ambitions provided welcome opportunities for him to meet numerous world leaders.
Nicknamed Uncle Arpi , soft spoken grandfatherly Goncz was
Hungary’s most popular politician.
.