Szűcs László: Dálnoki Miklós Béla kormányának (Ideiglenes Nemzeti Kormány) Minisztertanácsi jegyzőkönyvei 1944. december 23.-1945. november 15. B kötet (Magyar Országos Levéltár kiadványai, II. Forráskiadványok 28. Budapest, 1997)

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RÉSUMÉ Minutes of meetings of the Provisional National Government (23 December 1944 - 15 November 1945) National Archives of Hungary preserves minutes of Cabinet meetings of more than these a century. Publication of these sources is one of the most important aims of our institute. This volume containing the minutes of dalnoki Miklós Béla's cabinet is in close connection with this publication program. The Act No. III. passed in 1848 relating to the independent government responsible to Parliament did not mention the "cabinet meeting", nevertheless the regular meetings of ministers constituted the Council of Ministers being responsible to Parliament. Thus the Council of Ministers became the supreme body of executive power besides the head of state. It is indisputable that minutes of cabinet meetings by virtue of the important role of this body are essential sources of latest history of the country. This considerable role of the government was even more characteristic at extraordinary periods when Parliament didn't work or hardly functioned and the power of head of state became unstable so duty and responsible of these bodies fell to the Council of Ministers. Such an extraordinary situation arose at the end of 1944. The circumstances of formation of the government were extraordinary, too. Firstly the government was formed in Moscow subordinated to the interests of the foreign occupying forces and its forming was forced to meet the expectations of this foreign power. Secondly it was formed against the Szálasi-cabinet which ruled over the larger part of the country. Thirdly this government obtained its legitimacy from the Provisional National Assembly which had been formed by delegates elected by acclamation in the smaller part of the country on the basis of nomination of newly re-organized political parties. This government functioned under extraordinary conditions regarding its sphere of authority since all the mines, factories and transport services were operated by the occupying Soviet army for its own profit. Soviet forces seized all finished products and raw materials, took away the money supply and deposits of Hungarian banks. This situation continued up to the middle of 1945 and mostly for a long time after. The government only had authority outside of the front zone (beyond 100 kilometers from the front line). Up to June 1945 it was the area south-east of Gönc-Hercegszántó line. The Allied Control Commission for Hungary which had been formed in accordance with the Armistice Agreement had right to revise previously all governmental or local measures and to control everything through its central and local bodies. To a certain extent the Provisional National Government was restricted in its action by local authorities called National Committees. These bodies were formed at the end of 1944 and at the beginning of 1945. Especially the National Committee of Budapest in the actual economic, political and cultural center of the country func788