UDMR Demands Minister of Culture's Resignation After Vulgar Recording Emerges

The Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) has officially called for the resignation of Culture Minister Demeter András István. The demand comes after an audio recording surfaced publicly, allegedly featuring the minister using vulgar language and making statements considered offensive to national interests.

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UDMR distances itself both from the vulgar language and from the content of such statements, which are incompatible with the responsibility of a public office and are likely to affect confidence in state institutions and the values of public service.

In a strongly worded statement, UDMR spokesperson Csoma Botond declared that the party firmly distances itself from the recording's content. He emphasized that such language and statements are incompatible with the responsibilities of a state dignitary and could damage public trust in Romanian institutions and public service values.

UDMR stressed that respect for public interest, democratic institutional functioning, and Romania's Euro-Atlantic path are clear, assumed principles for the party. They consider the minister's resignation to be the "natural and responsible gesture" in this situation. The party highlighted that such declarations not only tarnish an individual's image but also project unfair and lasting effects on the Hungarian community and its political representation.

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We consider that, in such a context, the minister's resignation is the natural and responsible gesture.

While demanding accountability, UDMR also cautioned against using the controversy to stigmatize the entire Hungarian community. The party urged for a balanced and responsible approach, warning against political instrumentalization that could transform an individual's misstep into a discourse targeting an entire ethnic group. They asserted that criticism of specific statements or behaviors should not justify generalizations or collective labeling.

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We consider that this situation must be treated with balance and responsibility, without political instrumentalization and without transforming an individual controversy into a discourse that stigmatizes an entire ethnic community.