Racist rhetoric: Romanian presidential candidate Georgescu calls for restricting Hungarian rights!
Calin Georgescu, the far-right politician and winner of the first round of Romania’s annulled presidential election, has once again taken aim at the Hungarian minority and Szeklerland’s autonomy aspirations. The politician was already known for his radical views and provocative statements, but his recent remarks have stirred up new political storms.
In a programme on Realitatea Plus television, the far-right politician not only criticised the Romanian political elite and media, but also expressed provocative views on the Hungarian minority and the country’s territorial policy. According to Georgescu, the issue of autonomy for Szeklerland is an artificially created issue that has no historical basis.
The outrages against the Hungarian Minority
According to Mandiner, the politician made particularly insulting statements about the Hungarian minority, saying that minorities living in Romania should “be content” with having any land and water at all in the country. This comment not only sensitised the Hungarian community but also sparked a general outcry.
Georgescu also cited the example of Voivode Mihály, who he said should be respected as an example to follow for allegedly banning the use of the Hungarian language in Romania. Although historically this claim is highly debatable, the politician clearly implied that the linguistic and cultural rights of the Hungarian minority should be restricted.
Georgescu’s comments on the Hungarian minority were not the only scandal. In another statement, the politician claimed that Romania could claim rights to several territories currently belonging to Ukraine, in particular the northern part of the former Maramures county.
Historical arguments and ideological foundations
At the heart of Georgescu’s rhetoric is a nationalist view of history, according to which Romania’s territory and unity are unchallenged. The politician cited the case of the Dacian artefacts as an example, which, in his view, proves that the Romanian people are indigenous to this territory and have historical rights over the minorities living there.
As a believer in the Iron Guard and the legionary movement of the last century, the far-right politician repeatedly praised their leaders and ideology. According to Krónika Online, the views he has expressed are reminiscent of the fascist and nationalist rhetoric of the last century, which many in the modern Romanian political milieu consider dangerous.
Georgescu’s radical statements caused serious domestic political and diplomatic tensions. Within Romania, the majority of the political elite have distanced themselves from him, although his far-right supporters continue to back him. The Ukrainian government has openly condemned the politician’s remarks, which some analysts believe could lead to a further deterioration in Romanian-Ukrainian relations.
The swift reaction of the Romanian Foreign Ministry also indicates that official Bucharest does not want to take on Georgescu’s political legacy and does not want to get into conflict with Ukraine or the European Union. However, the case highlights the serious risks that the rise of far-right politics poses for the stability of Romania and the region.
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