Administrative Reform Sparks Fears of Marginalization for Transylvanian Hungarians

The Main Square of Sfântu Gheorghe

The latest Romanian draft law on public administration reform is stirring concern among Hungarian communities in Transylvania, with the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ) officials warning it threatens their representation and cultural presence, reports Krónika Online.

Árpád Antal, mayor of Sfântu Gheorghe (Sepsiszentgyörgy), and Sándor Tamás, president of Covasna County Council, stressed that reorganization under the current constitution could undermine Hungarian-majority areas.

Romania’s public administration, based solely on national, county, and municipal levels, often prioritizes centralization over local governance.

Critics argue that the current draft fails to address citizen needs, focusing instead on financial savings and consolidating administrative bodies. Hungarian leaders warn that the proposal to merge counties and reduce municipalities will erode local decision-making, ultimately sidelining minority communities. As Mayor Antal explained, “all such initiatives served party political goals, disregarding the interests of citizens.”

Under the proposal, towns with fewer than 20,000 residents risk losing urban status, which could significantly impact Hungarian-majority towns such as Târgu Secuiesc (Kézdivásárhely) and Carei (Nagykároly).

Losing this status would reduce local representation, cut council seats, and increase the distance to essential services. Mr. Antal cautioned that such downgrades would lead to a weakened institutional structure, limiting the influence of Hungarians in local governance.

The reform could also deepen centralization by consolidating counties from 41 to seven and abolishing district councils in Bucharest. This shift could force citizens to travel hundreds of kilometers to access administrative services, as Sándor Tamás highlighted.

 

RMDSZ leaders view these changes as a disguised form of nationalization, citing the lack of subsidiarity as a fundamental flaw in the current draft.

Subsidiarity, they argue, would ensure decisions are made closer to the communities they affect.

To counter these risks, RMDSZ officials emphasize the importance of their parliamentary presence, aiming to advocate for Hungarian communities’ interests in discussions. “The only way to prevent or reshape this is by sitting at the table where decisions are made,” Mr. Tamás stated, stressing that the community must engage proactively.

The draft law’s focus on centralization and financial efficiency disregards the diverse needs of local communities. Without adjustments, the proposed reform could marginalize Hungarian-majority areas in Transylvania, undermining their cultural and political representation.

Via kronikaonline.ro; Featured Image: Wikipedia