Regent of Hungary. He commanded the Austro-Hungarian fleet in World War I. In 1919 he was asked by the opposition to organize an army to overthrow Béla Kun’s communist regime. In January 1920 the Hungarian Parliament voted to restore the monarchy, electing Horthy regent. This post he retained, but thwarted all efforts of Charles IV, the deposed King of Hungary, to support the Habsburg claim. He ruled virtually as dictator. He agreed to Hungary joining Germany in World War II and declared war on the Soviet Union, but in 1944 he unsuccessfully sought a separate peace with the Allies. He was imprisoned by the Germans (1944) and released by the Allies (1945).