Horn, Gyula (1932– )

Hungarian economist and politician, president of the Hungarian Socialist Party (HSP) from 1990 and prime minister 1994–98. Under his leadership the ex-communist HSP enjoyed a resurgence, capturing an absolute majority in the July 1994 assembly elections. Despite opposition to the ongoing economic restructuring programme, Horn, as a trained economist, recognized the need to press on with reforms and formed a coalition with the centrist Free Democrats. He pursued a free-market economic programme, which, by attracting foreign inward investment, brought economic recovery. However, Horn lost power after the May 1998 general elections, following a collapse in support for his coalition partners, the Free Democrats, and was replaced by László Kovásc.

Horn worked in the international department of the Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party (HSWP) 1969–85 and, during the period of one-party communist rule, was under-secretary and then minister for foreign affairs 1985–90. In anticipation of the introduction of multiparty politics, the HSWP transformed itself into the HSP in 1989, and the pragmatic Horn was chosen as its new president in 1990. He is the author of several books on East–West relations.

Horn was born in Budapest and educated at the Don-Rostov College of Economics and Finance, graduating in 1954.