“UNITED FRONT” IN HUNGARY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25206, 10 June 1947, Page 7

“UNITED FRONT” IN HUNGARY

FORMATION EXPECTED FOR ELECTIONS COMBINATION OF FOUR PARTIES (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, June 9. pie correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” at Budapest says that one of the next major steps for bringing Hungary into line with the other “new democracies” of eastern Europe is expected to be the creation of some form of “united front” for the September elections reminiscent of the procedure in Bulgaria, Poland, Rumania and Jugoslavia. Such a front probably will comprise the Smallholders, the Social Democrats, the Communists, and the National Peasants. It is safe to assume that the ranks of the Smallholders and the Social Democrats will be purged before the elections of elements objectionable to the Communists. The proportional composition of deputies on these combined election lists will, it is believed, be something like 40 per cent. Smallholders, 25 per cent. Social Democrats, and 10 per cent. Communists.

The small “Freedom Party,” composed of deputies who broke away from the Smallholders and demanded a firmer stand against the Communists has been unmolested. Probably it is being kept ready for production as an “opposition” party at the elections. The whole tone of the Russian influenced press in Austria and Hungary suggests that the stiffer American policy becomes the stiffer will be the Russian answer, -says the correspondent of “The Times” in Vienna, discussing the possibility that the recent events in Hungary and Bulgaria may be part of a counter-offensive against President Truman’s policy in Greece and Turkey. The correspondent refers to reports of a severe famine in Rumania and Moldavia on the Russian frontiers and of the great problems Russia herself is facing. He adds that many Russians believe that America, while in an extremely strong economic position, has chosen this moment to take a correspondingly strong line against Russia. The American line has appeared in Greece and Turkey, where conditions favour America and has been met in Hungary and Bulgaria where conditions favour Russia. In Austria where the two influences are roughly balanced, nothing happens.