Tibor T. Toro at Tusvanyos: Autonomy Issue Remains Paramount

Tibor T. Toro, a physicist-turned-politician and one of the most persistent advocates for autonomy within the Hungarian community in Romania, told Magyar Nemzet at Balvanyos Summer Open University and Student Camp (commonly known as Tusvanyos) in Baile Tusnad (Tusnadfurdo) how he began his political career, the defining moments along the way, and what advice he has for young Hungarian politicians in Transylvania. In his view, credibility, substance and the idea of community autonomy are more relevant today than ever.

Tibor T. Toro (Source: Facebook/Tibor T Toro)

What he still sees as essential to pass on is credibility: “If there is no substance and no credible personality behind it, then no amount of money or technology will help. The result will only be that young people will drift away from politics—and that is what we see today.”

Regarding the strategy for the future, he was clear:

We need young people who have vision and are interested in public life. And we need to create opportunities for them.

For the Hungarian community in Transylvania, community autonomy remains the most important vision for the future. “There is a tradition for this, there is demand for it, and successful European examples prove it. South Tyrol, for instance, shows that where self-determination functions, the community thrives,” he explained.

He believes the current environment is not favorable for the autonomy cause, which is precisely why it must be placed back on the agenda.

The key word is governance. Perhaps this should not be pursued through frontal parliamentary attacks but by utilizing local government powers at the regional level,

said the Executive President of the Hungarian National Council of Transylvania.

At the same time, he cautioned: “Unfortunately, in the past thirty years, there have been several moments when a window of opportunity opened, but we missed it—due to individual or group interests; just think of the work of Miklos Duray. We need to process these lessons so that if an opportunity arises again, we can face it prepared.”

This year at Tusvanyos, it once again became clear for Tibor T. Toro after three decades, the goal remains the same—creating a strong community autonomy that preserves and strengthens the Hungarian community in Transylvania.

According to Toro, the future of Hungarian communities depends on their ability to continue gathering strength and putting credible leaders at their helm. He believes that the most important task now is keeping the issue of autonomy on the agenda and bringing young people back into public life. In his view, the Balvanyos Summer Open University and similar forums continue to play a key role in this.

Cover photo: Tibor T. Toro (Source: Facebook/Tibor T Toro)