Only five of the 23 Jewish members of the Municipal Council have been removed from office, it was announced today. Only those were ousted who were unable to prove their ancestors had not been living in Hungary uninterruptedly since 1867.
Previously it was believed all 23 would be removed by arbitrary decree, but Interior Minister Ferencz Kerestesz-Fischer spiked the ouster by a ruling that as long as Jews could fulfill the special suffrage qualifications imposed on them by the anti-Jewish law they had the right to be elected to public office.
The mandate of the present council expired Dec. 31, but the life of the body was prolonged by a special law in November which suspended elections for another year. The action was officially explained on the basis of “unsettled conditions,” but it is generally believed that in reality it was due to the fear of the Government that the pro-Nazi Arrow-Cross Party would stuff the ballot boxes and gain control of the capital’s municipal affairs.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
