The mayor of Sepsiszentgyörg, a Romanian city in Transylvania, said that ethnic Hungarians in Romania rallied against George Simion over the weekend, and helped secure his defeat. However, hard times are also likely still ahead with Nicușor Dan, the election winner, now serving as president.
Árpád Antal, the mayor of Sepsiszentgyörgy, told Romanian outlet Maszol that the Hungarian community in Romania’s Transylvania has a strong survival instinct, and together with the silent Romanian majority, they managed to keep Simion out of power.
“It is no exaggeration to say that we have just had an election of historic significance. The Hungarians of Transylvania felt the responsibility, as they voted for Nicușor Dan in an incredibly high number – more than 600,000 people,” said Antal.
Simion, who backed Donald Trump and supported cutting weapon supplies to Ukraine, is known for his history of anti-Hungarian statements. The country’s large ethnic minority of Hungarians, in turn, raced to vote against him in large numbers in the second round. Simion lost by eight points despite clearly winning the first round, mostly due to Romanian voters who turned out in historically large numbers.
The newspaper reached Árpád Antal on election night, who spoke about how people in Transylvania were terrified in recent weeks by the incredible anti-Hungarianism that had been erupting from every corner of society.
The mayor of Sepsiszentgyörgy also said that it is important to work together with the Romanians to ensure that the renewed anti-Hungarianism does not erupt again with such great force.
“The Transylvanian Hungarian community has the strong survival instinct and strength that we show in such cases,” he said.
“The past centuries have taught us to have sophisticated sensors and to always sense danger, and when it comes, to close in and show strength. That’s what happened now,” he added.
The mayor also said that life will not be easy with Dan either. “Life in Romania will not be easy, it will just be difficult in a different way. Romania is in trouble, the country is facing serious budgetary and economic problems, these will have to be addressed in the coming months and years,” the mayor stated.
The new government coalition could also pose a serious challenge.
“But the most important thing now is that we Transylvanian Hungarians have saved the life of our community, and in the coming months and years we may save Romania as well,” the Transylvanian politician stated.
Be the first to comment