In a historic moment, a group of young Roma boys in black bow ties performed the unofficial anthem of Roma in Hungary at the country's parliament, moments after Péter Magyar was sworn in as prime minister, ending Viktor Orbán's 16-year rule. The performance left many MPs wiping away tears, symbolizing hope for change for Hungary's marginalized Roma community, which makes up about 8% of the population.
A New Era for Roma Rights
Roma rights campaigners are calling on the new government to ensure that the symbolism of the inauguration translates into real change. The new parliament includes a record number of Roma MPs: four in Magyar's Tisza party and one with the opposition Fidesz. Roma artists also featured prominently during the daylong event.
Stephan Müller, an adviser on international affairs with the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma, said: "Never before have Roma been such an integral part of a nation at a state or national event. This gives cause for hope that it will not remain merely a matter of symbols."
Addressing Long-Standing Discrimination
A recent letter to Magyar, drafted by about 50 Roma professionals, urged the government to acknowledge discrimination against Roma, protect their rights, and ensure equal access to opportunities. Aladár Horváth, a prominent Romany rights campaigner, said: "We told them that regime change can only be successful if they do it hand in hand with the Roma."
During Orbán's tenure, Roma advocacy organizations were dismantled, state protections eroded, and laws trampled upon. Romaversitas, a group helping Roma youth acquire skills, was classified as a threat to national sovereignty. Managing director Ildikó Török said: "We worked under constant intimidation; it destroyed our mental health."
Roma in the New Government
Krisztián Kőszegi, a Roma Tisza MP and deputy speaker of the national assembly, said Tisza would work collaboratively with Roma. "We want to address issues in every sector, from social policy to healthcare, education, housing, and justice," he said. During the inauguration, Kőszegi and another Roma MP took their oaths in Romany languages, and Roma singer Ibolya Oláh performed a patriotic song she had stopped singing due to attacks from Fidesz supporters.
The Choir That Stole the Show
The Sükösd Roma Child Choir performed Zöld az erdő, the unofficial Roma anthem, epitomizing hope for change. Magyar had met the choir in November and promised an invitation if Tisza won. The performance, however, prompted six MPs from the extreme-right Our Homeland party to walk out, which Magyar called "utterly unacceptable."
Deep-Rooted Segregation and Discrimination
For decades, civil society groups have flagged issues of discrimination, especially school segregation. In 2024, the EU announced an investigation, noting Roma children are "disproportionately overrepresented" in schools for children with disabilities. Anger over this issue has long simmered, but a tipping point came earlier this year when a senior Fidesz politician used a racist slur against Roma, saying "someone has to clean the bathrooms on the inter-city trains."
Roma responded with political force in the election. Mensur Haliti, vice-president of the Roma Foundation for Europe, said: "Roma in Hungary punished those who used them and exploited them, while offering a change to those who are seemingly new." An analysis by the Roma for Democracy Foundation found that Roma votes helped flip multiple seats from Fidesz to Tisza.
Hope and Caution
Haliti noted that Roma gave Magyar a chance but are cautious: "This was not because they believe he will carry out miracles." How Magyar responds "will set a precedent for the treatment of Roma minorities across Europe." Müller echoed this: "The real work begins now, and it is a herculean task. But I have hope." He added: "One first step I liked is that Roma children managed to get fascists to leave parliament. Keep it up."
