István Horváth

This article is about the Minister of the Interior. For the Mayor of Szekszárd, see István Horváth (politician, 1970). For the Hungarian American chemist, see István T. Horváth.

István Horváth
Minister of the Interior of Hungary
In office 27 June 1980 – 29 March 1985
Preceded by	András Benkei
Succeeded by	János Kamara
In office 16 December 1987 – 23 January 1990
Preceded by	János Kamara
Succeeded by	Zoltán Gál
Personal details
Born	1 September 1935 Paks
Political party	MSZMP
Profession	politician

The native form of this personal name is Horváth István. This article uses the Western name order.

István Horváth (1 September 1935, Paks) is a former Hungarian communist politician, who served as Interior Minister twice: between 1980–1985 and between 1987-1990.

Horvath studied law at ELTE. He joined the MSZMP in 1956. He was the first secretary of KISZ (1970–1973), first secretary of the MSZMP Party Committee in Bács-Kiskun County (1973–1980), member of the Central Committee (1970–1989), secretary of the latter (1985–1987). Member of the Hungarian Parliament (1971–1975) and of the Presidential Council (1971–1975).

He was first interior minister between 1980–1985. He tried some careful reforms. On the other hand, he participated in the creation of CC-decisions concerning the opposition, and in his time was Carlos in Hungary, although Horváth opposed Carlos's visit in Hungary. Horváth's second period as interior minister (1987–1990) has no special characteristic. He submitted his resignation when it became clear that the secret police kept the opposition under surveillance even in the last days of the Kádár regime.

References

• G. Tabajdi, K. Ungvári: Elhallgatott múlt, Corvina, Budapest, 2008, pp. 100–101.

Political offices
Preceded by András Benkei	Minister of the Interior 1980–1985	Succeeded by János Kamara
Preceded by János Kamara	Minister of the Interior 1987–1990	Succeeded by Zoltán Gál