Following the first round of Romania’s presidential elections, President of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ) Hunor Kelemen reflected on the outcomes and outlined the party’s strategy for the critical weeks ahead. Speaking on the M1 news channel on Sunday, Kelemen emphasized the importance of continued mobilization and thanked Hungarian voters for their growing support.
Kelemen noted that exit polls should be approached cautiously, as past projections have underestimated RMDSZ’s performance. ‘In the local elections on 9 June, we exceeded expectations, and I believe this could happen again,’ he stated. While acknowledging a slightly lower voter turnout among Hungarians compared to Romanians, he identified boosting participation as the key challenge leading up to the next stage of the elections.
He estimated that the party has garnered approximately 100,000 to 110,000 more votes than in the first round of the 2019 presidential elections, underscoring a positive trend in support.
For RMDSZ, Kelemen explained, the ‘real second round’ of the election process will take place on 1 December during the parliamentary elections. ‘This is where we cannot afford to fall short,’ he emphasized, calling for intensified efforts to rally voters in the coming week.
‘Every vote from the Hungarian community in Transylvania will be critical’
According to Kelemen, achieving strong representation in both houses of parliament is crucial for the Hungarian minority’s political influence. ‘A robust parliamentary faction provides us with the strength to protect our community’s interests and block harmful decisions,’ he explained, citing a potential administrative restructuring proposal currently under discussion in parliament.
Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Kelemen stressed that every vote from the Hungarian community in Transylvania will be critical. He pointed out the likelihood of a fragmented parliament, which could make forming a majority coalition difficult. This, he argued, creates an opportunity for RMDSZ to play a decisive role in shaping Romania’s future government.
‘It all depends on whether we, as Transylvanian Hungarians, can secure our place in the parliamentary majority,’ he said, appealing to the community to remain active and engaged.
Kelemen attributed RMDSZ’s growing support to its focus on practical and realistic societal issues. ‘Our message of common sense has reached the Hungarian community, and they understand that we address the real concerns of society,’ he stated.
With a clear roadmap for the next steps, Kelemen reaffirmed RMDSZ’s commitment to representing Hungarian interests effectively and ensuring their voice is heard in Romania’s political arena.
As 1 December approaches, RMDSZ will focus on increasing voter turnout and securing a strong parliamentary presence. With his call to action, Kelemen aims to galvanize the Hungarian community to achieve not only electoral success but also lasting political influence in Romania.
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