Urgent Call to Combat Political Violence at Tusványos Summer University
Prominent figures gathered at the 33rd Tusványos Summer University in Băile Tușnad (Tusnádfürdő), Romania, to discuss escalating violence and political tensions. Zsolt Németh, a Fidesz politician, strongly condemned the recent shootings of US presidential candidate Donald Trump and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, calling for public protests in response to such violence and procedural violations in the European Parliament.
Németh emphasized the importance of diverse viewpoints and critical thinking for a healthy democracy, quoting Hungarian poet Gyula Illyés: “Nationalism violates a right, and patriotism protects a right.” He also highlighted the rise of right-wing politics in Europe, noting that the Patriots for Europe (PfE) group is now the third strongest in the European Parliament.
Árpád János Potápi, Secretary of State for National Policy, reflected on the Hungarian government’s focus on national policy over the past 14 years and expressed hope for continued support during the current EU Presidency. He highlighted Tusványos’s role in fostering national initiatives like the “Without Borders” program and Hungarian citizenship support.
Tibor T. Toró, vice-president of the Hungarian Alliance of Transylvania, stressed the increasing challenges in protecting fundamental values and the importance of mobilizing efforts to meet these challenges. David Campanale, founder of the Free University, emphasized the importance of not taking freedom for granted and called for a reformation of democracy based on Christian values.
The event’s opening ceremony featured blessings from clerics Gábor Bakcsy, Attila Biró, and Géza Bilibók, underscoring the gathering’s commitment to peace and reflection amidst contemporary challenges. The discussions and reflections at Tusványos continue to shape the dialogue on the future direction of society and democracy.
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