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The Székely Land is one of the largest European regions with a significant minority ethnic group. While about half of the Hungarian minority in Romania lives in smaller groups scattered over Transylvania, the other half form a majority at regional level in Székely Land, Eastern Transylvania. After the fall of Communism, many hoped that the former Hungarian Autonomous Region, which existed between 1952 and 1968, would be restored again. The majority of Romanians, however, don't support the idea of Székely autonomy. In spite of this, there are local Székely initiatives to attain regional autonomy for Székely Land. There are different organisations with different concepts, based on examples of other European provinces like Catalonia, or Bolzano-Bozen.

The most important political party of ethnic Hungarians in Romania is the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania. They undertook the representation of all Hungarians in Romania (i.e. not only those living in the Székely Land). This party is assuming a somewhat cautious position, and try to lobby for an act on cultural autonomy. This would include provisions like the introduction of Hungarian language History and Geography education in the Hungarian schools, or birth and wedding registration in Hungarian language for those who request it. After negotiations with the coalition partners (the party is presently part of the governing coalition), the draft was submitted to the Parliament by the Government of Romania in 2005. The draft, however, has still not been discussed by the plenary session of the Romanian Parliament.

Other Székely organizations with lower political representation on national level have proposed wider level of autonomy. Section 8.b) of the Founding Declaration of the Hungarian Civic Alliance explicitly calls for the support of the autonomy initiatives of the Hungarians in Romania.

In November 2005, a group of Székely Hungarians placed a plaque containing the words "Székely Land" in Romanian, Hungarian and German, near a road at the entrance to Covasna County. The Romanian Police removed it from the spot, telling that the sign had been placed to the county border without official permission. Some Székelys have since suggested that traditional Székely gates, as symbolic signs should be built by local governments near the roads on the borders of Székely Land.

Another Székely Land based organization, the Székely National Council held a relatively large (4.000 to 10.000 people took part), peaceful demonstration in Odorheiu Secuiesc on March 15 2006, in favor of autonomy. . Five days before this, president Traian Băsescu met with Jenő Szász (the mayor of Odorheiu Secuiesc and also president of the Hungarian Civic Alliance), who assured the president of the peaceful conduct of the March 15 ceremonies and also briefly presented the HCA's vision on autonomy. On March 16 Basescu visited the town and met with local and county officials. Basescu declared that the Romanian administrative system should be more decentralized, but only in a symmetrical way, with no more autonomy given to Székely Land than any other region in Romania .

In February 2007, a local Székely commission organized a public opinion research campaign in the Székely areas. Over 80% of the population voted "yes" for the autonomy of Székely Land. On February 11, 2007 Emil Boc, president of the Democratic Party of Romania, maintained the referendum was illegal and called it an "instigation to territorial separatism".

On February 12, 2007, Hungarian President László Sólyom of Hungary visited Romania and met Băsescu. The discussions included the controversial topics of minority rights and autonomy. Băsescu has pointed out the situation of the Székely in Romania is in full respect with the standards of the European Union. He also mentioned a referendum for territorial autonomy is illegal and characterized the Székely initiative not as a test of the public opinion, but as a test of Romanian laws. Romania's Interior Ministry has said that organizing an informal poll is actually not illegal.

Territorial autonomy for the Szekely Land is supported by the People's Action Party.

Constitutional issues

Article 1 of the Romanian Constitution defines the country as a "sovereign, independent, unitary and indivisible national state." It has often been argued that, as a result of this provision, any ethnic-based autonomy, including that of Székely Land, would be unconstitutional. It is important to note, however, that the Constitution does not explicitly define "national state" in ethnic terms, neither does it contain provisions against the devolution of power.

References

1. Template:Hu icon Founding Declaration of the Hungarian Civic Alliance
2. Template:Hu icon Article about the removed Székely Land plaque
3. Template:Ro icon Cotidianul, Secuii au cerut autonomie in liniste (The Szekelys peacefully demanded autonomy), March 16, 2006
4. Template:Ro icon Saptamana Financiara, UDMR si restul lumii (DAHR and the rest of the world), March 27, 2006
5. Manifest of the 2006 Székely Assembly
6. Template:Ro icon Gandul,Primarul Szasz l-a asigurat pe presedintele Basescu ca "totul va fi OK", pe 15 martie, la Odorhei (Mayor Szasz assures president Basescu that "everything will be OK", on March 15, in Odorhei), March 11, 2006
7. Template:Hu icon Article about the assembly
8. Template:Ro icon Adevarul, Veţi avea autonomie cât are şi Craiova! (You will have as much autonomy as Craiova will have !), March 17, 2006
9. Template:Ro icon Ziua, Verde-n fata (Right in his face), February 13, 2007
10. Template:Ro icon Romanian presidency's press release, 12 February 2007
11. International Herald Tribune Hungarian president calls for increased autonomy for ethnic Hungarians in Romania, February 12, 2007
12. Actiunea Populara, de acord cu autonomia pe criterii etnice (People's Action agrees with autonomy based on ethnic criteria) , November 6, 2004

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