Bánffy resigns; Széll becomes Prime Minister of Hungary

Political Crisis. Dezső Bánffy served as Prime Minister from 1895 to 1899. In 1898, opposition groups refused to pass the budget until negotiations with Austria were settled. Tensions escalated, leading to a duel between Bánffy and his opponent Horánszky in January 1899. The ministry suffered a serious crisis at the end of 1898, compelling Bánffy to resign in February 1899.

Széll's Appointment. Following Bánffy's resignation, Kálmán Széll was entrusted with forming a new cabinet. Széll served as Prime Minister from 1899 to 1903. He restored parliamentary peace through the Pact of 23 February 1899. His administration consolidated Hungarian finances and managed the transition of the Austrian National Bank into the Austro-Hungarian Bank.

Austro-Hungarian Framework. The Kingdom of Hungary was a monarchy existing from 1000 to 1946. From 1867, territories connected to the Hungarian crown were incorporated into Austria-Hungary under the name Lands of the Crown of Saint Stephen. This dual monarchy structure defined the political environment in which the 1899 succession occurred.