József Torgyán
József Torgyán (16 November 1932 – 22 January 2017) was a Hungarian lawyer and politician. He led the Independent Smallholders' Party from 1991 to 2002 and served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development from 1998 to 2001 in Viktor Orbán's government.
Early life and education: He was born in Mátészalka, Hungary. He studied law at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest from 1951 to 1955 and took part in the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. After graduating, he worked as a lawyer because political life was restricted at the time.
Political career: In 1988 he helped found the Independent Smallholders' Party. He won a seat in the National Assembly in 1990 and was re-elected in 1994 and 1998. After the 1998 elections, his party allied with Fidesz, allowing a center-right government to form. Torgyán became deputy prime minister and minister of agriculture. In 2000 he ran for president of Hungary. In 2002 his party won no seats and faded from national politics. In 2006 he became chairman of the Hungarian Torgyán Renewal Movement.
Personal life and death: He married Mária Cseh in 1959; she was an actress. Their son Attila is an editor. József Torgyán died in Budapest on 22 January 2017 at the age of 84.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 09:30 (CET).