Slovak Political Elite Still Envisions Homogenous State, Says Hungarian Leader

Péter Őry, the inaugural chairman of the Association of Hungarian Municipalities in Slovakia, asserts that a substantial segment of Slovakia's political establishment continues to harbor aspirations for a ethnically homogenous state. He contends that Hungarians are frequently portrayed as adversaries, a tactic he believes is sometimes employed to distract from more significant issues.

“

Unfortunately, a significant portion of the Slovak political elite still envisions a homogenous state. Many still portray Hungarians as an enemy image, which sometimes serves them well because they can use it to obscure other, more serious issues.

In an interview, Őry expressed concerns regarding the internal structure of the Hungarian Alliance party, the main political vehicle for ethnic Hungarians in Slovakia. He argued that the party's reliance on district-level elections has led to the re-election of incumbents in key positions, thereby stifling both pluralism and necessary renewal. This, he fears, jeopardizes the party's chances of achieving the 5% threshold required for parliamentary representation, especially given the dwindling pool of Hungarian voters.

Őry stated that his decision to step down from his vice-chairmanship within the party was a consequence of these unaddressed issues. He clarified that his departure was not sudden, having communicated his concerns about the party's direction over the past year to the national chairman. He remains committed to his social activities.

“

In my view, to achieve independent parliamentary entry, the entire community must be addressed and united.

He stressed that securing representation in the Slovak Parliament is not merely desirable but essential for effectively advocating Hungarian interests. Őry pointed to systemic issues, such as the funding model for municipalities based on altitude, which disproportionately affects southern regions where many Hungarians reside. He also criticized the current education reform as a "gross deception" by the government and called for an end to collective asset confiscation, a practice he claims has been systemic since 1990.

“

The funding of municipalities based on altitude has been an issue I've fought for seven years because it affects the southern regions where we live.