Hungarians fear worsening tension between Roma and non-Roma

A small majority of Hungarians are afraid the relationship between the Roma minority and mainstream society will further deteriorate, a recent Szonda Ipsos survey published on the fn.hu website on Friday showed.

The survey was conducted over the phone on a sample of 800 after the November 15 confrontation in the north Hungarian town of Sajobabony between Roma residents and supporters of the radical nationalist Jobbik party and its banned uniformed wing, the Hungarian Guard.

Fifty one percent of respondents are pessimistic, saying that ties between the two communities will sour in the coming period. Thirty percent expects a stalemate and just 6 percent see an improvement.

From the point of view of party preferences, 76 percent of Jobbik voters expect the conflict to escalate. The related proportions are 52 percent among Fidesz supporters and 43 percent among Socialist voters.

The proportions of those expecting the situation to take a turn for the worse are higher than average among the under-30s, students and the jobless.

Asked about which party would be the most suitable for managing the conflict, 20 percent named Fidesz, 8 percent the Socialists and 8 percent Jobbik. Forty-nine percent of respondents, however, were unable and 7 percent unwilling to give an answer.

Nearly 1 million Roma live in Hungary, mostly in the north-east, forming the biggest ethnic minority out of an overall population of 10 million.

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