Gordon Bajnai

The native form of this personal name is Bajnai György Gordon. This article uses Western name order when mentioning individuals.

György Gordon Bajnai
Prime Minister of Hungary 7th Prime Minister of the Third Republic of Hungary
In office 14 April 2009 – 29 May 2010
President	László Sólyom
Preceded by	Ferenc Gyurcsány
Succeeded by	Viktor Orbán
Personal details
Born	György Gordon Bajnai (1968-03-05) 5 March 1968 Szeged, Hungary
Political party	Independent (nominated by MSZP)
Alma mater	Budapest University of Economic Sciences (now Corvinus University of Budapest)
Profession	Entrepreneur

György Gordon Bajnai (pronounced [ˈɡordon ˈbɒjnɒi]; born 5 March 1968, Szeged) was the seventh Prime Minister of Hungary from 2009 to 2010. In March 2009, following Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány's announced resignation, Bajnai was nominated by the ruling Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) to become Hungary's next prime minister. Bajnai became prime minister when the parliament passed a constructive motion of no-confidence against Ferenc Gyurcsány on 14 April 2009.

Studies and student politics

Bajnai was raised in Baja, Hungary. He graduated from the Budapest University of Economic Sciences (now Corvinus University) International Relations Department in 1991. For his public and professional activities he was rewarded Pro Universitate Award.

Bajnai was not a Hungarian Young Communist League (KISZ, Kommunista Ifjúsági Szövetség) leader, like Gyurcsány (who was Vice-President of the communist youth organization in 1989), but he was active in youth-politics. In 1987, Bajnai organized a boycott of the University of Economics' canteen, and was chairman of the Independent Student Council. He was also the head of the History Department of Studium Generale, Admission Preparatory Studies College.

Entrepreneurial career

After earning his master's degree, Bajnai took a job at Creditum Financial Consulting Ltd (at the same time Ferenc Gyurcsány worked there as well). In 1993, he undertook an internship at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London. Later he also worked for Eurocorp International Finance Ltd (again under the directorship of Ferenc Gyurcsány).

Between 1995 and 2000, Bajnai was the managing director of CA IB Securities Co., and was the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (at the same time when András Simor, now head of National Bank of Hungary, was the head of the company). Bajnai was involved in the management of introducing several major companies to the stock exchange.

Between 2000 and 2005, he was CEO of Wallis Rt., an investment company. His duty was to restructure the company, make it more efficient and to manage its investments. Wallis group member companies were at that time Graboplast Rt., Rába Rt., Elender Rt., Index.hu, Wallis Ingatlan, Wallis Auto Holding, Danubius Radio, Café Advertistment. In 2003, the National Association of Managers selected Bajnai as the "Young Manager of the Year".

Among the more than 100 Wallis-owned company a poultry processing firm, Hajdu-Bet went bankrupt during 2003, against all efforts by its management and owners. Many partners of Hajdu-Bet suffered serious losses during the time when the poultry market collapsed in 2003, Wallis group itself lost 10 billion forints (over 40 million Euros). There were news circulating about possible related suicides linked to the bankruptcy among farmers.

Years later, when he started his political career, Bajnai was criticized for the Hajdu-Bet collapse, although won law-suits against media-outlets for false accusations.

In 2005, he was President of Budapest Airport Inc., and member of the Supervisory Committee at Zwack Inc. He was member of the Corvinus University of Budapest Economic Council. He resigned all of his company posts and board-memberships, when he entered the government as government commissioner, responsible for EU funds and national development.

Political career

Bajnai first received a government post in 2006. On 1 July, Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány's called on him to be the Government Commissioner for Development Policy. In this position, he maintained supervision over National Development Agency, that controls EU Funds to Hungary.

He became minister in July 2007, in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. After SZDSZ left the coalition government, in May 2008, he took over the newly-formed Ministry of National Development and Economy.

In March 2009, Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány resigned, announcing that he would hand over his position to a new premier with a higher support of the parties of the Hungarian Parliament. The Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ) opposed most candidates for the post proposed by the Hungarian Socialists. Although Bajnai was reluctant to give in, after a week, with no tangible results in sight, and being asked by the majority of party stakeholders, who also assured him of their support of the needed austerity measures, he took the job. Securing the backing of both parties, Bajnai became prime minister in 14 April 2009.

Prime Minister

The Hungarian Parliament elected Bajnai as Hungary's Prime Minister with 204 votes for, 8 abstentions. The remaining MPs did not vote.

In his first speech as PM, he promised drastic measures to stop the negative spiral of the Hungarian economy, and to ease the burden of the international crisis. He also stated that he would remain in power until he had the solid majority of Parliament behind his austerity package, but will stay no longer than a year.

He did not want to nominate himself on the next elections; he undertook the task for a year. Attila Mesterházy became the Hungarian Socialist Party's candidate for the position. The MSZP suffered its worst result since the 1990 elections. The sixth National Assembly of Hungary formed on 14 May 2010. In accordance with the Constitution of Hungary Bajnai became "acting Prime Minister" for the following days. In his last speech he raised word against the Jobbik fearing for the democracy because of the radical party.

The new cabinet formed on 29 May 2010. Bajnai was succeeded by Viktor Orbán. After that he retired from the politics and returned to the business life.

Economic policy

Bajnai took over an economy that was expected to contract by 6 percent in 2009 and was kept afloat by a $25.1 billion IMF-led lifeline. Foreign investors were declining to finance Hungary's high budget and then current account deficits, and the forint's weakness threatened hundreds of thousands of families who took out foreign currency mortgages. Bajnai must have had to cut spending to rescue the budget, keep within IMF guidelines and regain investor confidence.

The Bajnai government had four main goals:

• Immediate crisis management (Activities: Stabilization of the financial system, Safeguarding jobs, supporting those who lose their jobs, Programmes to help the financing of SMS’s; Accelerating absorption of EU funds)

• Stimulating economic growth (Activities: Reforming the tax system; Extra-budgetary regulations; Extra-Measures to increase activity)

• Balancing the economy (Activities: Measures for the sustainable operation of the public sector; Improving the sustainability of the pension system; Creating a more targeted social system)

• Restoring Global trust (Activities: Restoring public order and confidence; Restoring confidence; Solidarity:state, politics, wealthy people; Anti-corruption measures; Helping pensioners; Providing continuous information to the public on Government activities; Establishing a national crisis Fund to help the most needy)

Handling the ruling Socialists might have been his most difficult task. He needed their votes but a sizeable section of the party viewed Bajnai with contempt because cuts in welfare spending was seen as eroding the party's traditional voter base. Despite of this, Bajnai made a reform in taxes, pensions, public sector bonuses, maternity support, mortgage subsidies, energy subsidies and public transport subsidies.

Within six months, he managed to present a new budget that reduced government spending by five percent. Hungarian economic policy has regained its credibility, CDS-spread was less than one third of the level of a year before.

In an interview given to Handelsblatt, Bajnai said: “Most of the painful decisions were taken during the first 100 days of my government” (…)“It was clear what Hungary had to do, even if it was not easy politically. (…) This required painful adjustments from the people. Our challenge was keeping things bearable while simultaneously creating better conditions for stable and sustainable development. We have accomplished that goal.”

Foreign policy

His first visit abroad was in Brussels, where he debuted as Prime Minister. He had discussions with Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, President of the European Commission, and with Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Secretary-General of NATO.

Gordon Bajnai with Barroso in Brussels.

In April he met with Austrian PM Werner Faymann, in May, he attended the EU Partnership Summit in Prague. In May, he presented a speech on the Europe Forum, in Wachau, and in June, he attended the V4 summit in Kraków. He made a two day official visit to Israel, where he met Shimon Peres, Benjamin Netanyahu and the Opposition Leader, Tzipi Livni. He also visited the Palestinian Authority, where he met the Palestinian prime minister, Salam Fayyad.

The Nabucco pipeline's intergovernmental agreement between Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Austria was signed by five Prime Ministers (including Bajnai) on 13 July 2009 in Ankara.

On 19 August, he met with Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, in Sopron. The event was the 20th anniversary of the Pan-European Picnic. In September he made a short official visit to Finland, where amongst others he met Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen.

Gordon Bajnai presenting a speech in Wachau

On 10 September, he invited the Slovak PM Robert Fico to ease the tensions between Hungary and Slovakia. There were a clash of views between the two neighbors concerning the controversial amendment of the Slovak State Language Act. The two premiers expressed regret over the circumstances of a failed visit by President László Sólyom to Komárno on 21 August and agreed to accept all recommendations of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe high commissioner on national minorities. Prime Ministers Gordon Bajnai of Hungary and Robert Fico of Slovakia signed a joint statement during their meeting in Szécsény.

Published on the Hungarian government spokesman's website, the statement declares the two countries' common interest in easing political tension. Bajnai and Fico agreed to direct the attention of all political parties to the social risks of confrontation, and called upon the citizens of both countries to show tolerance and understanding. They agreed to take resolute measures against extremist groups, and fight against all forms of xenophobia, intolerance, chauvinism, nationalism and violence, and the exportation thereof to one another's country. The two premiers declared that bilateral relations should be based on confidence, transparency and a pragmatic and constructive bilateral dialogue. They agreed to use all forms and instruments of cooperation, including further prime ministerial meetings.

Bajnai with U.S. President Barack Obama and U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama.

Between 20–24 September, Bajnai made an official visit to the USA, where he met President Barack Obama, the UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon, he attended the Climate Conference of the UN. He visited The Wall Street Journal's editorial office. Amongst others he had discussions with George Soros, Charles Gati, and major U.S. financiers and investors, he closed the day's trading at the New York Stock Exchange.

In early October, Bajnai made a visit to the United Kingdom. He attended talks with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Gordon Brown and gave a public lecture at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Between 18–19 October, he made a short official visit to Paris, where he met president of France Nicolas Sarkozy, PM François Fillon, and many French investors.

Hungary sent more troops to Afghanistan in line with then current US strategy to enhance involvement there, Bajnai announced at a meeting with US Vice President Joe Biden in the White House on 4 December 2009. The pledge been made in several steps during 2010: Hungarian troops mainly serve in logistics and training operations, on top of helping to secure elections in Afghanistan, Bajnai told journalists after the talks.

Nowadays

Several months after retiring from public service, he founded Patriotism and Progress Public Policy Foundation with some of his former government members and independent experts, which states on its website, that its goal is "to shape the world view and attitudes of our citizens to build a better Hungary". "To realize this dream we will actively pursue a progressive agenda by learning from best practice and empowering communities to better themselves. We will amass and tutor the expertise and know-how to assist Hungary in facing the many tests it has to pass on the road to modernization."

During the Autumn of 2011 he took up the lectureship at Columbia University in New York, Rutgers University in New Brunswick and Johns Hopkins University in Washington D.C.

Bajnai announced to will return to the politics on 23 October 2012, during the anti-government demonstration of the One Million for Press Freedom (Milla). On the protest, he called for an anti-Orbán coalition so as to form a supermajority in the Parliament with the help of which the changes done by Orbán's ruling party Fidesz could be undone.

In his speech, Gordon Bajnai, repeatedly used a variant of the term ("We may fail on our own, but together, we shall prove victorious!"), when he proclaimed his support for such a "cooperation between hopeful left-wingers, disappointed rightwingers, politically abandoned free-thinkers and committed Greens" that his organization along with two other civilian body named Together 2014 as a reference to the date of the next general elections in Hungary.

Personal life

Bajnai is married, but separated from his wife, having two children together. Bajnai has one child from his partner with whom he has been living since 2004. His fourth child, a boy, was born in June 2012.

Bajnai has played soccer from early childhood; he is one of the players of Hungarian football club Építők SK. Bajnai plays as a goalkeeper. According to the team's homepage the Prime Minister was the Footballer of the Year in 2001 at the club. In an occasion of a preparatory match against Grund FC he was seriously injured.

Honors

In 1994 he was awarded Pro Universitate. In 1999 he was voted one of the 30 most promising business Central-Eastern European executives by the journal Central European Business Review. In 2003, the National Association of Managers selected Bajnai as the "Young Manager of the Year". 2006 Officer's Cross Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary (Civic Order of Merit) as an acknowledgement for his exceptional professional and company management work and his achievements in the area of company management culture development.

External links

• miniszterelnok.hu
• magyarorszag.hu