The bourgeoisie was cowed, and Prime Minister Tisza breathed a sigh of relief as well. So long as Hungary did not split apart, whether it became a republic or a constitutional monarchy was acceptable to him.
Fine. They had originally been discussing the second issue—whether Hungary should become independent—yet they had ended up settling Hungary's future political system first.
Though the bourgeoisie had been forced to choose a "constitutional monarchy," they still wanted independence for their own interests. The noble class, however, believed that remaining in the Austro-Hungarian Empire better served the Kingdom of Hungary's long-term interests, and most supported staying within the empire.
Simon, a bourgeois radical, proposed, "Gentlemen, the Austro-Hungarian Empire has already rotted to the core. The Kingdom of Hungary must leave this mire if it is to achieve greater development!
"If we remain in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, our markets will be flooded with Austrian industrial and commercial goods. The Austrians will keep plundering our wealth through trade, leaving the Hungarian people mired in poverty for generations. No Hungarian can tolerate that!
"Only by becoming an independent nation can the great Kingdom of Hungary build a complete industrial system of its own and cast off the Austrians' economic enslavement!"
Clearly, his arguments were mixed with far too much self-interest to convince everyone. Count Carlo immediately retorted, "You exaggerate, sir. Do not forget that the Kingdom of Hungary has gained no small number of benefits within the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Why not list those benefits as well?
"As for Austrian industrial and commercial goods filling the market, that only proves you are looking for excuses for your own lack of effort!
"Whether Austrian capitalists or Hungarian capitalists, everyone enjoys the same conditions. You cannot outcompete your rivals, so you denounce them as exploiters?
"Do not forget, we are all