Transylvanian Hungarian Party Vows to Push for Autonomy Despite Setbacks
The Hungarian Alliance of Transylvania insists on resubmitting legislative proposals for the autonomy of the Szeklerland after repeated rejections by Romanian lawmakers.
Sam Morgan
- 2023-12-30
- Updated 04:50 AM ET
(NewsNibs) - The Chamber of Deputies of Romania handed a stout refusal to the Hungarian Alliance of Transylvania's (AMT) proposals for the territorial autonomy of the Szeklerland region and cultural autonomy for Transylvanian Hungarians, voting overwhelmingly against them on a Thursday session. The following day, the Senate followed suit, marking yet another setback for the AMT. Despite these rejections, AMT has made clear their intention to persevere with submitting the legislation, indicating a deep-rooted commitment to their cause. The AMT has voiced criticism towards the Romanian government, accusing it of misrepresenting its treatment of national communities in international arenas and labeling the rejections as indicative of anti-Hungarian sentiment among Romanian politicians.
Controversy Over National Minority Rights
Article 6 of the Romanian Constitution guarantees the rights of national minorities to maintain and develop their cultural and linguistic heritage, a constitutional promise that AMT argues requires the full realization of autonomy. The organization maintains that such a move would not only cement the peaceful coexistence of diverse communities within Romania but also enhance the country's stability. Hungarian politicians in Transylvania, as articulated by AMT, are calling for a broader collaboration to achieve strategic objectives, emphasizing the paramount importance of self-determination in their agenda. Moreover, the initiative is said to bear hallmarks of fidelity to the Romanian state, seeking to ensure both regional advancement and the safeguarding of Hungarian community identities without posing any threat to the unity of the nation.
Autonomy in a European Context
AMT points out that successful autonomy arrangements across Europe have often led to economic growth, harmonious majority-minority relations, and cultural richness. The party sees the refusals by Romanian politicians as a denial of these potential benefits and a figurative step back from European ideals. The legislation, advocating for the Szeklerland’s autonomy, was drafted by the Szekler National Council's specialty commission, while two accompanying law projects relating to cultural autonomy were developed by committees of the National Council of Hungarians in Transylvania. Proposals were officially submitted on December 20 by Zoltán Zakariás, President of AMT, and József Kulcsár-Terza, the executive president of the Hungarian Civic Force, signaling a united front among Hungarian political factions in Transylvania.
AMT and its advocates are preparing for another round of legislative efforts, undeterred by recent rejections, and are striving to align Hungarian minority politics with broader European trends regarding autonomy and minority rights. They continue to affirm that the quest for Szeklerland's autonomy is not just a regional issue but is part of a narrative of self-determination and community preservation that resonates across the continent.
