I moved to Budapest in October 1988 when Hungary was still under Communist rule. The opposition was already a significant force with people demonstrating in environmental protests against a big planned dam project. Soon the protests became more political. Opposition parties demanded free, democratic elections and pressed for reforms including the withdrawal of Soviet troops and the introduction of more robust free market measures. A reform wing in the Communist party also initiated  important changes. In the spring of 1990 Communist Hungary held its first free multi-party parliamentary election. The Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) won and formed an alliance government. The MDF leader Jozsef Antall became Prime Minister.