‘The real work begins now’: Roma take centre stage as Hungary brings in new government

T he clutch of young Roma boys in black bow ties were lined up beneath the ornate arches and royal frescoes of Hungary’s dazzling parliament. Moments after Péter Magyar was sworn in, bringing an end to Viktor Orbán’s 16 years in power, the young musicians launched into the unofficial anthem of Roma in Hungary, leaving many MPs wiping away tears. It was an extraordinary moment – one that fused the nationwide hope for change with the longstanding aspirations of the country’s most marginalised community. Roma rights campaigners have seized the moment, calling on the new government to ensure that the symbolism of last weekendtranslates into real change. As Hungary – which is home to one of the continent’s largest proportions of Roma, at about 8% – begins the post-Orbán era, many across Europe are watching closely. There are encouraging signs, say observers. The new parliament includes a record number of Roma MPs: four in Magyar’s Tisza party and one with the rightwing nationalist opposition, Fidesz. Roma artists featured prominently during the daylong inauguration. “Never before have Roma been such an integral part of a nation at a state or national event as they were at the ceremonial opening of the new parliament,” wrote Stephan Müller, an adviser on international affairs with the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma. …