From village life to Strasbourg: Roma Tisza MP’s remarkable journey

From a tiny Hungarian village to representing his country at the Council of Europe, a Roma Tisza politician has made an incredible journey.

Despite the anti-Roma racism embedded in the previous Hungarian government’s 16-year regime, István Gyöngyösi, now represents both his nation – and his people.

“I am Hungarian, I am Roma, and I am proud to represent Hungary,” declared István Gyöngyösi, the 27-year-old Tisza Party parliamentarian in his historic address at the Council of Europe.

Having grown up in a Hungarian village of just 800 people, the young politician spoke out firmly for equal opportunities for rural communities.

Gyöngyösi argued that technological progress and artificial intelligence can only fulfil their true purpose if they do more than accelerate work in elite laboratories: they must also offer a way forward for people living in disadvantaged regions. He stressed that digitalisation and education must help equalise opportunities and prevent the urban–rural divide from widening.

The parliamentarian emphasised that protecting workers, ensuring fair pay, and maintaining meaningful human oversight in recruitment and decision-making are essential in the age of artificial intelligence. A single opportunity can change a person’s life, Gyöngyösi concluded, calling on international partners to share knowledge and work together to build an inclusive future.

Tisza’s rise followed a dramatic public rejection ealier this year of Viktor Orbán’s 16‑year Fidesz government, with voters turning to a party promising transparency, anti‑corruption reforms and an end to state‑driven discrimination.

In many regions with large Roma populations, turnout surged and Tisza candidates gained substantial support, reflecting frustration with years of coercive public‑works schemes, segregated schooling and limited political representation.

Independent observers noted that Roma communities were among the most enthusiastic early backers of Tisza, helping flip constituencies long dominated by Fidesz. The result, say Hungarian campaigners,  is a parliament with a record number of Roma MPs and a political landscape reshaped by demands for inclusion, fairness and equal opportunity.

A video of his speech can be seen here:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1081109621513021

By Mike Doherty for Travellers Times

(Photograph Tisza handout)