The Post-War Political and Legal System of Hungary and Its Restitution Policy Regarding Holocaust Survivors (1945 to 1948)
The Post-War Political and Legal System of Hungary and Its Restitution Policy Regarding Holocaust Survivors (1945 to 1948)

Summary/Abstract: The paper deals with the post-war political and legal situation in Hungary, giving a short overview of its restitution policy regarding Holocaust survivors from 1945 to 1948. One of the most interesting and still topical questions of the period, which has been debated ever since, relates to its character: whether there was a transition to democracy or not immediately after the war. The essay tries to systemise the facts, data, available archives and literature whilst taking into account the international environment, the activities of the Great Powers and diplomatic steps. After World War II zones of influence were created by the victorious Great Powers in Europe, which had a decisive impact on the new state structures to be established. For about three years in this unique situation Hungary thought it likely that democracy and the rule of law would be introduced. In the meantime the government also had a major task to abolish not only anti-Jewish legislation, but to re-establish the civil rights and legal equality of the Jews and to adopt appropriate laws and decrees to improve the survivors’ economic condition. In spite of serious efforts at the beginning, the final outcome was that moral and financial restitution and compensation failed to be realised. These issues are still at the centre of a variety of debates and discussions.

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