Hungary's Next Prime Minister Urges End to Discrimination Against Hungarian Minority in Ukraine, Proposes Talks with Zelensky

On the 12th (local time), Peter Merzar, representative of Tisurda, Hungary, is giving a speech. Photo by Reuters-Yonhap News

Peter Merzer, Hungary's next prime minister, has proposed talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, demanding an end to discrimination against the Hungarian minority.

According to Bloomberg News on the 29th (local time), Merzer, the leader of the Tiszdad party, met with the mayor of Berehove, Ukraine in Budapest the previous day. After the meeting, he took to social media to call on Ukraine to allow the use of the Hungarian language by the Hungarian minority, among other demands.

It is estimated that 150,000 ethnic Hungarians live in Ukraine's westernmost region, which borders Hungary. In 2017, the Ukrainian government mandated that secondary school teachers use only the Ukrainian language, sparking controversy over the infringement of the rights of the Hungarian minority.

Merzer stated, "If we can resolve this issue, it will open a new chapter in relations with Ukraine," and requested talks with President Zelensky.

After his overwhelming victory in the general election on the 12th, Merzer declared a break from the policies of the Orbán administration. However, regarding discrimination against the Hungarian minority, he has maintained the same stance as the previous government. Merzer is scheduled to take the oath of office as prime minister on June 9.

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