Tag Archives: Politics

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Representation

Published by:

Representation

The Roma Council of Montenegro has initiated a proposal for legal measures to ensure direct political representation of Roma in the Montenegrin parliament.

They suggest implementing a special affirmative action model that includes one parliamentary mandate with a low electoral threshold of 0.35% of valid votes.

The Roma community, despite constitutional guarantees, currently lacks direct representation in parliament, and the Council urges legislative bodies to address this issue before the next parliamentary elections.

Whether this is the right approach can definitively be discuyssed. A few lone Roma PMs will not change anything.

Greece News Western Europe

Greece and Roma

Published by:

Greece and Roma

Aphrodite Latinopoulou, president of the “Voice of Reason” party (extreme-right), criticized Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for failing to change the country despite having two opportunities, accusing him of corruption.

She condemned the government’s social policies, particularly regarding immigration and social benefits, claiming that integration cannot be achieved through financial aid and that certain groups, including immigrants and Roma, should not receive benefits.

Latinopoulou used derogatory language, insisting on the term “Gypsies” instead of “Roma,” and linked social benefits to crime, calling for stricter measures against those exhibiting criminal behaviour.

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Roma Politics

Published by:

Roma Politics

Veljko Kajtazi, the Member of Parliament representing the Roma community and 11 other national minorities, stated on Saturday that he left the National Minorities Parliamentary Group because an agreement within the group—that he would be nominated for the position of Deputy Speaker of the Croatian Parliament—was broken.

Following the retirement of Furia Radina, Armin Hodžić from the Bosniak, Albanian, Montenegrin, Macedonian, and Slovenian minorities was elected as the new vice-president, which Kajtazi argues was against their prior agreement.

He claims this constitutes discrimination against the Roma community, but adds that he will continue to support the government of Andrej Plenković.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Vote Buying?

Published by:

Vote Buying?

The article discusses the ongoing issue of vote-buying among Roma communities in Slovakia, particularly during elections, as highlighted by government commissioner Alexander Daško.

Daško accuses former Prime Minister Igor Matovič and others of promising financial incentives, such as 500 euros, to encourage Roma participation in elections, which they have not received.

A police operation named ‘Candidate’ has led to the arrest of individuals involved in electoral corruption related to the upcoming municipal elections in Martin.

This has more to do with the fact that Roma voted en masse for the opposition during last elections …

News Eastern Europe Romania

Congress

Published by:

Congress

The Union of Roma Party (P.U.R.) is holding its first congress on October 23, 2026, to elect its leadership and represent the interests of Romanian citizens of Roma ethnicity.

P.U.R. was established in June 2025 and aims to ensure that Roma citizens are represented by Roma themselves in political matters, rather than being subjects of public policies designed without their input.

The party operates within the constitutional framework of Romania and the values of the European Union, advocating for equal opportunities in education, employment, and health for the Roma community.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Roma Pride

Published by:

Roma Pride

Participants at the Roma Pride and Dignity Day in Budapest called for partnership with the current and future Hungarian government to address issues faced by the Roma community, emphasizing the importance of their voices in decision-making.

rganizer Oláh József highlighted ongoing issues such as poverty, housing difficulties, and educational segregation, calling for active participation of Roma communities in political changes.

The event featured a declaration advocating for shared responsibility and collaboration, with Roma professionals seeking involvement in policy-making and implementation processes.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Parliamentary Debate

Published by:

Parliamentary Debate

Participants in a parliamentary debate emphasized that political opposition should not justify personal attacks, advocating for respect for human dignity regardless of differing opinions.

Daróczi Ágnes criticized laws that disadvantage marginalized groups, particularly the Roma, and called for coordinated action against discriminatory regulations.

The discussion highlighted the need for the new government to address fundamental rights issues, including restrictions on movement and access to literature, while also exploring ways to combat social prejudices.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Roma in Montenegro

Published by:

Roma in Montenegro

The NGO ‘Mladi Romi’ emphasizes that education and employment are crucial for overcoming poverty among Roma and Egyptian families in Montenegro, highlighting persistent issues despite some progress over the past 21 years.

Recent studies indicate that a significant percentage of Roma children lack access to early education and that only a small fraction of young adults complete secondary education, underscoring the need for systemic change.

The organization calls for increased investment in education, legal employment opportunities, and active involvement of the Roma community in creating sustainable solutions to poverty.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Serbian Elections

Published by:

Serbian Elections

The Roma Party issued a call today to all political parties focused on representing the interests of the Roma national minority, urging them to declare whether they side with the authorities or the “Student List.” The party maintains that any political group unwilling to take a stand in this referendum-like atmosphere is, in effect, helping the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) stay in power.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Racism?

Published by:

Racism?

Jozef Božik, the chairman of the Association of Towns and Villages of Slovakia (ZMOS), is facing backlash after being accused of insulting the Roma community by referring to them as “Indians.”

The mayor of Zámutov, who initiated the controversy, is demanding Božik’s resignation, which he firmly rejects.

Božik claims that the accusation is taken out of context and has led to severe personal attacks against him and his family.

Italy News Western Europe

Italy and Settlements

Published by:

Italy and Settlements

A meeting was held at the Government Palace in Naples to address the lack of water and electricity in the Rom camp in Giugliano in Campania, attended by various local authorities and organizations.

The meeting discussed ongoing issues with electricity connections and water supply, with temporary solutions like water trucks being used while improvements to the water network are underway.

Continuous monitoring and coordination among local authorities are planned to ensure the restoration of essential services in the camp.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Youth Parliament

Published by:

Youth Parliament

On Friday, the first Roma youth parliament was established in Slovakia. Its mission is to facilitate dialogue between Roma and non-Roma people and to address the community’s myriad problems.

The initiative, led by Emília Štrkáčová, follows the creation of other youth parliaments and emphasizes the importance of inclusion and representation.

Young participants have proposed various solutions to improve living conditions, including education on financial literacy and cultural integration activities with non-Roma communities.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia and Roma

Published by:

Slovenia and Roma

Mayors from Southeast Slovenia and Posavje met with government representatives to discuss long-term solutions for issues related to the Roma community, focusing on public safety, social policy, education, and employment. The mayors emphasized the need for collaboration between the state and local communities to address administrative barriers and implement effective measures.

They called for a comprehensive legislative framework that integrates public safety, social policy, and employment to achieve sustainable improvements in the community.

Well, again without Roma. This will not solve any problems …

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma Ball and Politics

Published by:

Roma Ball and Politics

Novi Sad Mayor Žarko Mićin stated this evening at the tenth anniversary Roma Ball in Veternik that the City would continue to support the Roma community, emphasizing that unity and mutual respect are key to the further development of Novi Sad.

The ceremony, held at the “Kristal” hall, also marked the 10th anniversary of the Roma association “Bela Romkinja,” the organizer of this traditional ball.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Serbian Elections

Published by:

Serbian Elections

Salih Saitović, president of the Democratic Union of Roma (DUR), urged national media to include issues important to the Roma community in election debates and demand concrete answers from politicians. DUR plans to request discussions on employment, education, housing, social protection, and equality for Roma.

Saitović emphasized the importance of genuine Roma participation in decision-making processes, beyond mere presence during election campaigns.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Slovak Local Elections

Published by:

Slovak Local Elections

Zoltán Kašo (Team Košice), a candidate for the chairmanship of the Prešov Self-Governing Region, has withdrawn his candidacy in favor of Samuel Migaľ (independent), the Minister of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization. He would establish a Roma council

Zoltán Kašo—a civic activist, founder of the civic association “Path to a Better Future” (Cesta pre lepšiu budúcnosť), and a teaching assistant—focuses primarily on social services, support for young families, and addressing generational poverty in Roma settlements.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

SNS in Kragujevac

Published by:

SNS in Kragujevac

The local organization SRCE Kragujevac reported that a leader of the Serbian Progressive Party (the current ruling party in Serbia) is attempting to remove a cross in the Palilula neighborhood, a traditional gathering place for Roma and other citizens.

The official claims the gatherings disturb his family’s peace and is using political influence to push for the cross’s removal.

SRCE argues that the cross holds significant spiritual and cultural importance for the community and warns that its removal would demonstrate intolerance towards the Roma community’s rights and traditions.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovene Local Elections

Published by:

Slovene Local Elections

There are challenges in ensuring candidates and voter participation among the Roma community in local elections, often leading to low turnout or no candidates at all.

Darko Rudaš, president of the Forum of Roma Councilors in Slovenia, notes a gradual increase in candidates, indicating growing recognition of the importance of participation in local governance.

Concerns about elected representatives forgetting community issues or serving personal interests contribute to low trust and participation, suggesting a need for mechanisms like recall options for councilors.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Southern Slovenia and Roma

Published by:

Southern Slovenia and Roma

Three government ministers met with mayors from southeastern Slovenia and Posavje to discuss security and social issues in areas with Roma populations, as well as potential solutions.

The mayors expressed concerns that security has worsened despite police presence, reiterating similar sentiments from three months ago.

Interior Minister Franci Matoz acknowledged that while police are fulfilling their duties, the security situation remains unsatisfactory, emphasizing the need for improvements in the judicial system.

Mayor Gregor Macedoni highlighted the importance of addressing social policy and employment for Roma communities, focusing on the root causes of public order violations.

Economic Minister Anže Logar stressed that social benefits should come with responsibilities, urging Roma to engage in community work and improve their employment rates.

Germany News Western Europe

Commission on Discrimination

Published by:

Commission on Discrimination

A commission has been established to address historical discrimination and institutional injustices faced by Sinti and Roma in post-war Germany, comprising equal representation from both minority and majority communities.

Michael Brand emphasized the importance of this commission as a crucial step in systematically addressing injustices that occurred after 1945.

The commission aims to make experiences of injustice visible, close knowledge gaps, and derive consequences for the present and future, with support from the Foundation for Remembrance, Responsibility, and Future (EVZ).

rroma.org
en_GBEN
de_DEDE fr_FRFR en_GBEN