Unprecedented Fine for Hungarian Politician Over Derogatory Remarks

Unprecedented Fine for Hungarian Politician Over Derogatory Remarks

Előd Novák Faces Record Fine for Racial Slurs

Előd Novák, the deputy chairman of the Hungarian opposition party Mi Hazánk, has been handed a hefty fine of five million forints (approximately $16,500) by the National Assembly, marking the largest penalty within the current four-year legislative cycle. The fine was proposed by László Kövér, Speaker of the National Assembly, as a response to Novák’s derogatory use of the term “gypsy crime”.

Novák’s Defiance

Novák made the announcement of his fine on his personal Facebook page, expressing his refusal to employ the term “subsistence crime”, a phrase coined by the Hungarian liberal political party, Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ), as an alternative for “gypsy crime”.

Derogatory Remarks in the Parliament

In the document detailing the fine, it was noted that Novák made a controversial remark during a parliamentary session on May 22, 2023, that directly linked the Roma ethnicity with criminal behavior. His derogatory statements about the ethnic community during his speech were also highlighted.

Parliamentary Vote on the Fine

The parliament voted in favor of the fine, which is equivalent to two months of Novák’s parliamentary salary, in a session on Tuesday. However, the decision did not receive support from Mi Hazánk or the right-wing Jobbik party.

Mi Hazánk’s Focus on “Gypsy Crime”

In recent times, the issue of “gypsy crime” has been a focal point for Mi Hazánk. The party held an anti-Roma protest outside a prison on Venyige Street in August. Despite this, the party’s chairman, László Toroczkai, recently stated in a debate that he would reconsider the usage of the term “gypsy crime” in 2023, not due to political correctness, but out of respect for hardworking Roma individuals.

Targeting Guest Workers

Apart from this, Mi Hazánk has also targeted guest workers, labeling them as criminals. The main takeaway from this incident is the boldness of Előd Novák and his party in using derogatory language linking the Roma community to criminal behavior, despite facing significant opposition and financial penalties.