Serbian Hungarians Question Party's Loyalty Amid Election Speculation

The Democratic Vojvodina Hungarians' Union (DZVM) has publicly challenged Balint Pastor, leader of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (SVM), regarding his party's political allegiances. Following Pastor's declaration that SVM would contest elections independently and reject calls from Hungarian opposition groups in Vojvodina to support a student list, DZVM posed a critical question: Will SVM remain loyal to the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) even if they lose the upcoming elections?

Pastor had previously stated that SVM is "a community of upright and decisive people, not a collection of political prostitutes." In response, LSV Vojvodjani questioned the integrity of those who allegedly traded the Hungarian community's interests for political positions over the years. DZVM further pressed Pastor and his associates for clarity, asking what would happen if the SNS were to lose. "Will SVM still stand by SNS, even if the citizens of Serbia vote for change, or will they fly to the new winner tomorrow?" DZVM inquired.

DZVM highlighted a similar situation in Hungary, where SVM had supported Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party. However, after Fidesz lost the parliamentary elections in April, Pastor congratulated Peter Magyar, the leader of the Tisza party, and met with him to discuss building trust. DZVM questioned whether a similar scenario awaits Serbia, asking how SVM's cooperation with Tisza after their victory, despite supporting Fidesz in the parliamentary elections, differs from the "political prostitution" Pastor condemned.

"If SVM truly has principles, let them clearly state in advance: they will remain with the SNS even if they go into opposition! SVM has the right to choose its political partners. That is not in dispute. But then let them take responsibility for their choice! Because principled action is not about always standing by whoever is in power. If Balint Pastor says SVM is 'not a collection of political prostitutes, but a multitude of principled people with a spine,' then now is the time to prove it. Principled action and backbone are not shown when power is strong, but when power is lost," the DZVM statement concluded. The article also recalls that SVM previously switched sides after the 2016 provincial elections, ending its long-standing alliance with the Democratic Party (DS) and the League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina (LSV).