Increasing Number of Romanians Support a Hungarian Candidate in the Presidential Elections

Hunor Kelemen voting on the municipal elections in June.

Romania’s presidential and parliamentary elections, set for November 24 and December 1, hold critical significance for the Hungarian community in Transylvania.

Barna Tánczos, the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania’s (RMDSZ) senatorial candidate, expressed optimism about strong representation, highlighting past successes such as improved Hungarian-Romanian relations and environmental reforms during his tenure as environment minister. He emphasized that RMDSZ’s rational and unified approach, coupled with proven governance, positions them as a crucial political force.

Hunor Kelemen, RMDSZ’s presidential candidate, is increasingly regarded as the best choice for Romania’s leadership.

Pollsters have noted growing support for his program, prioritizing family values, education, healthcare, and support for local businesses. However, the sentiment that he is “too good, but Hungarian” persists, illustrating the challenges of transcending ethnic biases in Romanian politics.

Nationalist movements like the Alliance for the Unification of Romanians (AUR) and splinter groups pose significant threats to Hungarian-majority areas, aiming to curtail language rights and local governance.

Their presence in the elections could escalate anti-Hungarian rhetoric, further polarizing Romanian politics.

As Hungary Today earlier reported, such parties could jeopardize Hungarian interests, especially in regions like Szeklerland and Transylvania, which remain priorities for RMDSZ.

With unity as its core message, RMDSZ has called on Hungarians to participate actively in the upcoming elections. Strong voter turnout is essential to safeguarding language rights, regional development, and cultural heritage. The stakes are high for Transylvanian Hungarians, who face increasing challenges to their political representation. Remaining united is crucial for ensuring their voices are heard in Romania’s future.

FactHunor Kelemen is running for president for the fourth time in 2024. While his previous bids (2009, 2014, 2019) never exceeded 4% of the vote, he remains a key figure representing Romania’s Hungarian minority. Polls show other candidates, like Elena Lasconi and Marcel Ciolacu, are more popular, but Kelemen’s loyal base may keep him in the race with a modest share.

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Via MTI; Featured Image: Facebook / Kelemen Hunor

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