Magyar minority parties in Romania join forces for Szeklerland autonomy

The leaders of the three political parties representing the Hungarian minority in Romania, UDMR, PCM, and PPTM, signed a joint statement on Monday, January 8, asking for the territorial autonomy of the region known as Szeklerland, in central Romania. The three parties also want a special bilingual status for the Partium region, in North-Western Romania. The three party leaders announced they would submit to the Parliament law drafts for various degrees of autonomy for the Hungarian community. They want regional autonomy for Szeklerland, which includes the counties of Harghita and Covasna and part of Mures county, where a lot of Hungarians live, local administrative autonomy for the localities with Hungarian majorities, and cultural autonomy for all Hungarians in Romania. They also want a special bilingual status for the Partium region, which includes Bihor and Satu Mare and Salaj counties, where about a third of Hungarians in Romania live. UDMR leader Kelemen Hunor said he wants to discuss with the Romanian majority about changing the Constitution to allow new forms of territorial organization. The initiative comes as Romania prepares to celebrate 100 years since the Great Union. editor@romania-insider.com (photo source: Udmr.ro; photo by Gönczy Tamás)