Ultra-nationalism Threatens Hungarian Minority in Romania Ahead of Elections

Hunor Kelemen, leader of RMDSZ, voting in the first round of Romania’s 2024 presidential election. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and RMDSZ (Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania) President Hunor Kelemen stressed the significance of the upc

By: hungarytoday.hu

Nov 27 2024
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Ultra-nationalism Threatens Hu

Hunor Kelemen, leader of RMDSZ, voting in the first round of Romania’s 2024 presidential election.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and RMDSZ (Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania) President Hunor Kelemen stressed the significance of the upcoming December 1 parliamentary elections in Romania for Transylvanian Hungarians, writes Új Magyar Szó.

The Hungarian PM called the elections “fateful,” urging Hungarians to vote for the RMDSZ and Hungarian unity list to secure strong representation. Hunor Kelemen echoed this, saying, “we must strive not to be fewer and fewer.”

The elections come amid a fractured political landscape. Viktor Orbán highlighted that nationalist, anti-Hungarian parties like the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) and Călin Georgescu’s camp could win up to 37% of the vote, translating to 35–40% of parliamentary seats.

Mr. Kelemen emphasized the elections’ importance, stating,

the stakes are whether we will have enough votes to fight the anti-Hungarians in parliament.”

Fact

Călin Georgescu’s campaign capitalizes on dissatisfaction with mainstream politics, promoting ultra-nationalist ideologies from the 1920s. His rhetoric targets ethnic minorities, deepening societal divisions. Nationalist parties like AUR amplify these anti-Hungarian narratives, further polarizing Romania’s political landscape. Incidents such as the Valea Uzului (Úzvölgye) conflict underscore escalating tensions over cultural symbols and minority rights. These developments jeopardize coexistence and risk undermining hard-won linguistic and cultural freedoms.

Beyond voter participation, the administrative reorganization draft poses serious challenges. If enacted, it could leave Transylvanian Hungarians “completely helpless,” according to Hunor Kelemen. Historical tensions add to the urgency of securing cultural and linguistic rights. The restitution of communal and church property remains another unresolved issue.

The rise of anti-Hungarian forces is a pressing concern. Viktor Orbán warned that Romania’s current trajectory is “unacceptable for us.”

Hunor Kelemen cited the psychosis of war as a complicating factor for minority rights. “We need a strong mandate because linguistic rights, cultural rights, and the use of symbols can quickly become endangered,” he said.

The elections represent a critical test for Transylvanian Hungarians. As Prime Minister Orbán noted, “the strength we build now will determine whether we can protect our community from growing nationalist pressures.”

Hungarian Minority Leader Warns of the Rise of New Extremist Group after Elections in Romania