First Hungarian national government formed; April Laws promulgated

Background. Lajos Batthyány, born in Pozsony in 1807, became the first Prime Minister of Hungary. On March 17, 1848, the Emperor assented to his leadership, creating the first responsible government. Batthyány commended his administration to the Diet on March 23, setting the stage for the legislative reforms that would follow in April.

Legislative Reforms. The April Laws were passed by the Hungarian Diet in March 1848 in Pozsony and signed by King Ferdinand V on April 11. These laws ended feudal privileges and established democratic reforms. Act V of 1848 transformed the old feudal Estates General into a democratic representative parliament, marking Hungary as a pioneer in implementing democratic parliamentary elections in Continental Europe.

Government Formation. Following the Emperor's assent on March 17, Batthyány created the first Hungarian responsible government, known as the cabinet Batthyány. He formally commended his government to the Diet on March 23. The government began to take action on April 11, coinciding with the signing of the April Laws, which solidified the transition from feudal structures to a modern parliamentary system.