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Hungary Parliamentary elections 2026: Ukrainians registered first to draw up a national minority list
The National Election Committee> (NVB) was the first to register the Ukrainian national minority list at its meeting on Monday ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for 12 April.
The decision means that the Ukrainian nationality in Hungary will almost certainly have a representative in the new National Assembly, provided that the registration becomes legally binding. Under Hungary’s electoral rules, it is sufficient for at least one registered nationality voter to cast a valid vote for the list on 12 April for the community to be represented.
How national minority lists are compiled
A national minority self-government may draw up a national minority list for parliamentary elections if its general assembly decides to do so by 2 February. In addition, at least one per cent of voters listed in the national minority electoral register must recommend the list.
In the case of the National Ukrainian Ethnic Minority Self-Government>, eight recommendations were required to compile the list. For most ethnic minorities, fewer than 20 valid recommendations are sufficient. However, the thresholds are significantly higher for some larger communities: the Roma ethnic minority requires 401 recommendations, while the German ethnic minority needs 274 to draw up a national list.
To compile a national list, an ethnic group must nominate at least three candidates. The Ukrainian list currently registered contains four candidates. The spokesperson for the community will be the candidate placed first on the list, Liliána Grexa.
Representation in the National Assembly
Nationality self-governments that successfully compile a national list may send a spokesperson to the National Assembly if they do not obtain a preferential mandate. Such spokespersons do not have voting rights.
A nationality may secure a preferential parliamentary mandate if it gathers a quarter of the number of votes required for political parties to win a seat.
For international readers, Hungary’s electoral system provides recognised national minorities with the opportunity to gain representation through preferential mandates or, failing that, through non-voting spokespersons. This mechanism is designed to ensure that minority communities have a formal channel of representation in the legislature.
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Deadlines and further steps
National minority self-governments may collect signatures until 4 p.m. on 7 March and must submit their national lists to the NVB by that deadline.
Once the decision on the registration of national lists becomes final, the Ukrainian national self-government will be entitled to delegate one member to the National Election Commission>. However, such members may only vote on matters affecting nationalities.
The registration of the Ukrainian minority list marks the first formal step in the minority representation process for the upcoming parliamentary elections, with further lists expected to be submitted before the deadline.
As we wrote in January, Magyar urges Slovak PM Fico to suspend Beneš Decrees ahead of Hungarian elections.
FAQ: Ukrainian minority list registered for April elections
What did the National Election Committee decide?
The National Election Committee> (NVB) registered the Ukrainian national minority list as the first minority list for the 12 April parliamentary elections. This allows the Ukrainian community to participate in the election process under Hungary’s minority representation rules.
Does this mean the Ukrainian minority will have representation in Parliament?
Yes, almost certainly — provided the registration becomes legally binding. Under Hungarian law, it is enough for at least one registered nationality voter to cast a valid vote for the list on election day for the community to gain representation.
What were the requirements to compile the Ukrainian list?
The National Ukrainian Ethnic Minority Self-Government> needed eight valid recommendations to compile its list. In general, at least one per cent of registered nationality voters must recommend a list. While most minorities require fewer than 20 recommendations, the Roma minority needs 401 and the German minority 274 due to their larger voter bases.
Who will represent the Ukrainian community?
The registered Ukrainian list contains four candidates. The spokesperson of the community will be the first candidate on the list, Liliána Grexa. If the list does not obtain a preferential parliamentary mandate, the spokesperson may still sit in the National Assembly without voting rights.
What happens next in the process?
Minority self-governments can collect signatures until 4 p.m. on 7 March and must submit their lists to the NVB by that deadline. Once the registration decision becomes final, the Ukrainian self-government will also be entitled to delegate one member to the National Election Commission>, who may vote only on matters affecting nationalities.