UDMR leader congratulates AUR's Simion for 'checkmate' as government vote looms

Kelemen Hunor, president of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR), delivered a sharp critique of the parties backing the "Veștea" government, framing its potential investiture as the conclusion of a significant period in Romania's contemporary history. Speaking in a joint session of parliament, Hunor declared that an era initiated 36 years ago, shortly after the December Revolution, was ending, ushering in an unknown phase.

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Today an important period of contemporary Romanian history ends. It ends a period that began 36 years ago, immediately after the December Revolution, and it was an extremely important period for our country, and a stage begins about which we still know nothing.

Hunor warned against the "banalization of evil," which he argued often begins with seemingly small, rationalized steps that disregard values and principles. He contended that this process leads to a "turbulent" political landscape and that the current political battle is not for people or communities, but solely for power. The UDMR leader announced his party's abstention from the vote, highlighting the alignment of the two parties that secured the most mandates in the December 2024 elections for governance.

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The banalization of evil always begins with a small step. An apparently innocent step, a step that can be rationally explained, a step that bypasses values, a step that bypasses principles, principles without which a society based on trust cannot be created.

In a pointed remark, Hunor congratulated George Simion, the leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), for achieving a political "checkmate." He acknowledged Simion's success, even though Simion was not present in the chamber, recognizing his "talent." Despite a prior discussion with AUR representatives, the party's elected officials left the plenary hall before the vote on the "Veștea" government's investiture.

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Today, under this dome of Parliament, there is only one winner. There is only one man who has won today. He is not in the room, but the talent must be recognized. Congratulations, George Simion, you played checkmate!