Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization

May 11, 2009

Hungarians in Romania: Call for Unity Ahead of European Elections

Markó Béla declares that the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania and the Hungarian National Council of Transylvania have formed the United Hungarian List for the upcoming European Parliamentary elections.

Below is the Weekly Bulletin of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania:

Our watchword: join forces and be free

The Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania [DAHR] and the Hungarian National Council of Transilvania has completed the command of the Hungarian community of Romania, by forming the United Hungarian List for the upcoming European parliamentary elections. Still, this cooperation would become a real force if the Hungarian, the sekler would really join their forces – declared Markó Béla, in Sfantu Gheorghe at the opening event of the EP election campaign. Over one thousand people from all over Transylvania attended the event.

First, Markó Béla saluted all those who effectively contributed to the realization of the Hungarian Union, among them Tőkés László, president of the Hungarian National Council of Transylvania, politicians of the DAHR. Moreover, he thanked the Hungarian community of Romania, which called the command to unite – This union was your wish, your desire, your command! We obeyed to your command, since the only command that we obey to is yours, that of the Hungarian community of Romania – stressed Markó Béla.

The DAHR president draw the attention on the fact that the one and half million Hungarian, the seven thousand sekler of Transylvania represent a huge force, but only if they want the same, if they unite, since only then could a truly free Transylvania, a autonomous Seklerland become true. – Yes, Seklerland needs autonomy! If we join our forces, we can face all difficulties together, as we did so many times in the past. We face difficult times now. The central administration is removing Hungarians leaders of the local institutions; it wants to erase all the achievements that we fought for in the last years. However, we will not let that happen. We will face these intentions. – stated the president of the alliance in front of the large audience.

Markó Béla reminded, that in the past years, many applied the “divide et impera” principle, and when the Hungarian community was not united, they had success. But our watchword is now: join forces and be free. - emphasized the party president.

The relieve of the ethnic Hungarian institution leaders is not just a political, but an ethnic purge as well

The relieve, on political basis, of the ethnic Hungarian institution leaders in counties with a Hungarian majority population, is not just a political, but an ethnic purge as well. – declared Markó Béla, on his weekly press conference held in Bucharest.

He nailed down, that the decision of the government of “decapitating” the local institutions is unacceptable for the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania, “We can not accept that dilettante politicians, as local leaders of the PD-L and PSD, decide in these matters from one day to the next.”

The party president declared, that the DAHR will further do anything necessary and possible, to impede this process, that is dangerous not just politically, but regarding to the interethnic relations as well.

Markó Béla emphasized, that similar warning are not just from Harghita and Covasna counties, but also from all over Romania. In Satu Mare, where 40 % of the population is native Hungarian, the deputy general inspector got one of those relieving notes. “I do not understand why is it bad to have a Hungarian expert in institution supervising both Hungarian and Romanian schools. I do not understand, how the governmental parties can allow themselves to relieve the Hungarian professionals from these institutions.” According to his opinion, the governmental parties should decide whether they make a fool of themselves, or they accept that these institutions are related to the Romanian educational system, and accept the other ethnic citizens in these institutions. The governmental parties should understand that for a strong educational system, the experts working in the system should not just understand the language, but also topics, the general theme.

The president of the alliance revealed, that the relieving of the native Hungarian experts from the leadership of the local institutions, was one motive why the DAHR has signed the motion of no confidence against he government, together with the National Liberal Party. According to his opinion, although the document does not consider all aspects of the government it still point on the most urgent matters. Markó emphasized that before signing the motion of no confidence, the DAHR has carefully analyzed all aspect of the political life especially that this is the only motion of no confidence that the opposition can introduce in this parliamentary session. The DAHR politicians have reached to the conclusion that they have to draw the attention on the worsened situation.

During the press conference, Markó Béla had some remarks on the common DAHR-HNCT campaign-starting event, held in Sfantu Gheorghe, on Monday. He stressed, that the DAHR is preparing an intense campaign, and would like to mobilize the Hungarian community, so that at least three DAHR candidates enter the European Parliament. He added: the Hungarian Union does not mean that the two signing parties have washed away any differences, but that the Hungarian politicians of Romania know that there are some moments when solidarity is necessary, and compromises must be made.