Deputy prime minister pledges to continue development schemes for Hungarians beyond border

Zsolt Semjén, deputy prime minister-elect in charge of Hungarian communities abroad, has pledged to continue economic development schemes that support Hungarian communities in neighbouring countries.

At a parliamentary committee hearing on Monday, Semjén said economic support was crucial to preserving the community of Hungarians. But schemes aimed at strengthening Hungarian identity, maintaining ties with ethnic Hungarian parties beyond borders and fast-track Hungarian citizenship were also instrumental, he told parliament’s national cohesion committee.

He noted that while the previous Hungarian government had provided 9 billion forints (EUR 28.6m) in 2009 for schemes promoting Hungarian identity, the amount granted by the current government exceeded 100 billion forints in 2017.

Semjén noted that more than one million Hungarian citizenships have been granted so far, and added that more Hungarians among the diaspora were interested in gaining citizenship.

Speaking about voting rights of Hungarians beyond the borders, Semjén noted that 225,000 had cast valid votes in Hungary’s recent parliamentary elections, twice as many as in 2014.

He argued that Hungary’s election law should be reviewed and simplified.

He pledged to reconvene the Hungarian Permanent Conference and set up a diaspora council.

Semjén expects to keep his post of deputy prime minister responsible for Hungarian communities abroad, church policy and national minorities. The candidate was endorsed by six votes of committee members. One opposition member voted against.

Source: MTI