Shock defeat for Horthy as Árpád Szakasits is named new Hungarian King!
After months of campaigning, last night was the precious election that marked the return of the Hungarian Monarchy in the hands of the new king, Árpád Szakasits. Frontrunner Miklos Horthy had the lead in the polls all the way up to the final election, making this defeat a total shock for the ex-regent.
King Szakasits has set forth an agenda of democratic reforms, closer kinship with the Baltic, Slavic and Balkan states and anti-Communist action. With Horthy out of power, it is unknown what direction the Kingdom of Hungary will go in next!
"Those crazy bastards! What are they thinking!?" Bela Imredy ducked just as the newspaper went sailing overhead. In big bold print, the headline proclaimed "Németország megtámadja Lengyelországba" - Germany Invades Poland. It was safe to say that the Crown Regent was not taking the news well.
Miklos Horthy was not a patient man. A political genius? Yes. A shrewd manipulator? Absolutely. But patience was one of the virtues that Horthy had not learned. His time as Regent had taught him the value of power, of plotting and planning and of control. Germany's little stunt was an affront to all those values.
"Years of planning, Imredy. YEARS of it, down the toilet like that!" Horthy ranted "Has Herr Hitler finally gone mad? Doesn't he know what an attack like this will do?"
The Prime Minister nodded solemnly "I fear he does, sir. That's why he did it. As a matter of fact..." Miklos groaned "He wants us to go to another one of his tea parties, no? Asking us why we haven't kicked the Szociáldemokrata Párt out and went full Reichstag?"
Imredy nodded again. "Exactly right, sir. We're being pressured by the German Ambassador to fall in with the Pakt fully. But you know my opinion on the matter." Miklos did indeed know his opinion. Imredy made it no secret his support for the British and their system. In a way, Britain was similar to Hungary - but Britain had a monarch. Hungary did not. And with no royal lineage to speak of, Miklos knew that if he ever decided to reinstate a monarch, he would certainly not be in the running for the throne.
"There has been another idea being bandied about the Szociáldemokrata Párt, sir..." Imredy began, but stopped. Horthy wasn't keen on giving the Social Democrats any more power than they already had, and adopting one of their ideas would make it seem like they ran the country, not him. But Horthy was feeling generous. "Tell me, my man. Even the democrats have good ideas every so often."
"Well, sir, the Democrats believe that the time has come to elect a monarch. Rather than inviting the Habsburgs back, they believe that we should choose a king democratically. Your name would certainly be in the running if we put you forward. If we can get you elected, we placate the Democrats and you remain in power. Then we can balance ourselves between my National Unity party and the Social Democrats and you would maintain your powers."
Horthy listened along. It was a tempting idea. To have himself crowned King rather than mere Regent - and with the Democrat's blessing too! No one could accuse him of corruption or dictatorship then. But this plan didn't solve his immediate issue. "What about Herr Hitler?"
"Its simple. You cannot attend any meetings at the moment as you are campaigning to be elected King, and you will be glad to meet him after your election."
"And afterwards? Do you have any plans then?"
"I will focus on getting you elected King for now. No doubt the Opposition will have some plans for you but I am happy to work with them, as long as you are our liege."
Miklos Horthy smiled. "Alright. Announce it to Parliament. Miklos Horthy will no longer be consider the Regent of Hungary. Next time we meet, my dear friend, I shall be king!"
Hungary has announced the begin of the elections of a king. Miklos Horthy stands as the candidate approved by the Government, run by the National Unity party, but the old Habsburg Dynasty, using their claim to the Hungarian throne, also stands. The Szociáldemokrata Párt has not yet sided with a candidate. The election will take place three months from now, during which time Horthy will be unavailable for contact due to his campaign.
Military (Troops and vehicles): 16 Infantry Divisions - one Division consists of 6 Infantry Battalions 2 Cavalry Divisions - one Division consists of 4 Small Armoured Battalions and a Recon company Total Manpower on Ground Forces: 93k
12 Close Air Support units 12 Tactical Bombers 100 Fighter Planes Hungarian Aircraft are developed by the Manfred-Weiss company
Military (Troops and vehicles): 16 Infantry Divisions - one Division consists of 6 Infantry Battalions 2 Cavalry Divisions - one Division consists of 4 Small Armoured Battalions and a Recon company Total Manpower on Ground Forces: 93k
12 Close Air Support units 12 Tactical Bombers 100 Fighter Planes Hungarian Aircraft are developed by the Manfred-Weiss company
