UDMR Leader Warns: Reducing Parliament Seats Hurts Hungarian Community Representation
Csoma Botond, the leader of UDMR deputies, has spoken out against the USR’s proposal to reduce the number of parliamentary seats to 300. He warned that such a decision would lead to nearly 400,000 members of the Hungarian community losing their representation in parliament. This outcome is deemed “unacceptable” by the UDMR.
UDMR Stance Against USR Proposal
During an interview on Digi24, Botond emphasized that UDMR opposes the bill aimed at capping the number of parliamentarians at 300. He criticized the proposal as lacking a thorough analysis of representation, calling it a populist move. “The number of 300 is arbitrary and ignores Romania’s unique demographics,” he stated.
Representational Concerns for the Hungarian Community
According to Botond, Romania is home to over 1 million Hungarians. He pointed out that reducing the number of parliamentary representatives would significantly diminish representation for large Hungarian communities in regions such as:
- Bihor
- Harghita
- Covasna
- Mureș
If the proposal passes, it would lead to a lack of representation for a substantial portion of the Hungarian population.
Criticism of Previous Reform Efforts
Botond expressed skepticism about the motivations behind the proposal, likening it to past electoral strategies that relied on populism rather than serious legislative reform. He recalled a 2009 referendum, stating that it failed to consider adequate analysis and was driven primarily by emotional responses.
Coalition Dynamics and Tensions
When questioned about whether tensions had escalated within the ruling coalition, Botond revealed that the atmosphere had become heated. Politicians have revisited the idea of a Parliament consisting of only 300 elected officials, raising concerns given that it has been over 15 years since similar discussions first emerged.
Ongoing Legislative Efforts
In May, USR submitted a legislative proposal aiming for this reduction, despite previous attempts being stalled or dismissed. Premier Ilie Bolojan urged senators from the PNL to support the USR’s initiative. However, significant pushback from UDMR and minority representatives is anticipated, with threats to dissolve the coalition looming.
This situation continues to evolve as UDMR remains steadfast in its opposition. The implications of this reform proposal could reshape political representation for minorities within Romania.
