Complaints have been filed against Hungarian politicians in Slovakia in two separate cases: one concerning a bilingual directional road sign installed this year near Perbete, and the other related to a campaign event last year that highlighted the Komárno bypass.

The complaints were made public earlier this week by Orosz Örs and Imre Andruskó, regional representatives of the Hungarian Alliance (MSZ). In one case, both of them, along with Tibor Csenger, Deputy Chairman of the Nitra Regional Council, were reported for a campaign event in September 2023. During this event, the politicians staged a “performance” on the western outskirts of Komárno, on the planned route of the bypass. To emphasize the need for the development, they constructed two meters of standard asphalt “road” on agricultural land with the tenant’s permission. The structure was removed shortly after the event.

The other complaint was filed against Orosz and Csenger regarding a bilingual directional road sign installed near Perbete in June this year. Although some administrative issues arose at the time, the installation was completely lawful. However, an unknown complainant has challenged the process again.

Police Handled the Case Properly

Orosz Örs expressed his regret that “outdated, nationalism-fueled complaints reminiscent of the Mečiar and Slota eras are back in fashion.”

He noted that not only they but also the city of Komárno and the KOMVaK water management company have faced similar complaints recently. Regarding the 2023 campaign event, he highlighted that funds previously allocated for the Komárno bypass are instead being used to construct a relief road near Sabinov in a region without political representation. “That region won’t reap any rewards,” he added.

Both Orosz and Andruskó emphasized that the police handled their questioning professionally and courteously, as it is their duty to conduct the investigation.

Andruskó mentioned that they do not know the identity of the complainant. Regarding the 2023 “performance,” he pointed out that no damage was caused and agricultural production has continued on the affected few square meters since the removal of the “road section.”

Complaints May Be Linked

Further details about the two cases were requested from the police, but no response was received by the time of publication. If they respond, we will update our readers.

According to our information, it is possible that the complaints against the MSZ politicians and those filed against the city of Komárno and its municipal companies are connected. These may be related to the Komárno “issues” and scandals aimed mainly at creating tension and discrediting the parties involved, both this year and in previous years.

Reviving Old “Reflexes”

We also reached out to the MSZ press office regarding the proceedings involving the party’s regional representatives. While they did not comment on the 2023 campaign event, they issued a statement about the bilingual sign near Perbete.

The party emphasized that, as a Hungarian party advocating for the rights of Hungarians living in Slovakia, they consider it essential to “gradually expand our community’s language rights, including visual bilingualism.”

“In June of this year, MSZ representatives in the Nitra region began bilingualizing road signs in the southern districts of the region, utilizing the opportunities provided by applicable laws, including Regulation No. 30/2020 concerning road signs. In addition to the sign near Perbete, Hungarian place names will appear on 686 more signs at a cost of €100,000.”

“One complaint against 686 bilingual signs might seem like an acceptable ratio, but in reality, it demonstrates that even in a democratic state, 30 years were not enough to avoid offending nationalist members of the majority nation.”

“Complaints about bilingual road signs revive the same reflexes from three decades ago as the proposed amendments to the language law by the Ministry of Culture and the very fact that, in a country where nearly 11% of the population identifies as a minority, there is still legislation protecting the state language.”

– concluded the MSZ press office statement.

Source: ujszo.hu

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