We Roma have lost the little bit of representation we had in the European Parliament (EP). For the first time since 2004, when the EU underwent extensive enlargement, there are no Romani elected representatives in that legislature. We had several candidates running in various countries. In the Czech Republic, David Beňák ran for the ANO movement, Ivana Batthyány for The Left (Levice) and Jaroslav Miko for the Mayors and Independents. In Slovakia, Peter Pollák sought re-election and Dominik Lakatoš ran for the Volt party. Hungary ran Bogdán Csaba with the Tisza movement.
In Bulgaria, Vanya Grigorova ran, and in Belgium, Dejan Stankovic Kralj ran for the CD&V. None of these Romani candidates were elected.
The one who came closest was Bogdán Csaba, who ran in eighth place and whose party won just seven seats. It is, however, possible that the leader of the Tisza candidate list will decline to be seated, which would mean Csaba would then be seated instead.
Overall, the outcome is not good news – Europe is heading to the right.
We shall see what is in store for us, but it’s already clear that in the EU, the governance does not reflect the reality of the diversity and minority representation which should be Europe’s heritage. Unfortunately, we are also seeing that it is necessary to do even more to mobilize Romani people.
Romani MEPs
2024 - not elected
2019 – 2024
Romeo Franz (Germany), Peter Pollák (Slovensko), Lívia Járóka (Hungary), Patricia Caro Maya (Spain as of 2024)
2014 – 2019
Damian Draghici (Romania), Soraya Post (Sweden), Lívia Járóka (Vice President of the EP until November 2017), Romeo Franz (Germany as of 2018)
2009 – 2014
Lívia Járóka (Hungary)
2004 – 2009
Lívia Járóka (Hungary), Viktória Mohácsi (Hungary)
1986 – 1999
Juan de Dios Ramírez Heredia (Spain)
