More than 1,000 people, many from Hungary's Roma community, protested in Budapest demanding the resignation of minister János Lázár after he called Roma an "internal reserve" for undesirable jobs. Lázár apologized, saying his words were misunderstood, but critics called the remarks demeaning and racist. The incident risks alienating Roma voters just weeks before the April 12 elections and has drawn condemnation from opposition figures and community leaders. Protesters displayed Romani flags and toilet brushes to highlight their outrage.
Over 1,000 Roma Protest In Budapest After Minister Calls Community An 'Internal Reserve'
A woman holds a sign that reads "Hey Sztojka, what's the deal?" at a protest called against a Hungarian government minister for comments he made about the Roma minority, in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Bela Szandelszky)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
More than 1,000 people, many from Hungary's Roma community, gathered in Budapest on Saturday to demand the resignation of senior government minister János Lázár after remarks that attendees and many observers regarded as racist.
Protesters Seek Apology And Resignation
Protesters assembled outside Lázár's offices, urging him to apologize and step down. The demonstration brought together community leaders, activists, families and public figures who said Lázár's comments revived long‑standing grievances about discrimination, marginalization and social exclusion faced by Roma in Hungary.
A man holds flags and toilet brushes at a protest called against a Hungarian government minister for comments he made about the Roma minority, in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Justin Spike)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
"Unfortunately, we have always been made to feel that we are considered second‑class citizens," said István Soltész, a member of the Roma community who travelled from southern Hungary to attend the protest.
What Was Said
At a recent community forum Lázár described the Roma as an "internal reserve" who could fill undesirable jobs — invoking Hungary's strict anti‑immigration stance — and used a coarse phrase suggesting Roma would perform menial tasks such as cleaning train toilets. The wording prompted a fierce public backlash, including condemnation on social media and disruption of other public events where Lázár spoke.
Lázár has since issued a public apology while saying his remarks were misunderstood. Critics responded that his phrasing drew a damaging distinction between Roma and ethnic Hungarians and implied that Roma were not fully part of the nation.
A woman holds a sign at a protest called against a Hungarian government minister for comments he made about the Roma minority, in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Justin Spike)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Context And Political Stakes
Hungary's Roma population is estimated at about 1 million people — more than 10 percent of the national population — and is the country's largest minority group. Roma communities have long faced high levels of poverty, segregation, systemic discrimination and occasional racial violence.
Observers warned the controversy could alienate Roma voters just weeks before national elections scheduled for April 12, creating a political risk for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party. The governing party sought to defuse the dispute and accused the opposition Tisza party of attempting to widen divisions between Roma and non‑Roma voters. Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza party and its candidate for prime minister, publicly condemned Lázár's remarks.
Demonstrators hold signs, one reading, at left, reading "Cleaning toilets is work but lying is politics?" at a protest against a Hungarian government minister called over comments he made about the Roma minority, in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Bela Szandelszky)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Symbols And Reactions
At the rally many protesters carried Romani flags and held toilet brushes as a direct rebuke to Lázár's language. Roma musician István Szilvási told the crowd the remarks had "deeply offended our patriotism, our humanity and our future," and vowed that the community would make its voice heard at the ballot box.
The protest highlighted both the immediate political fallout of a single minister's words and the deeper, unresolved social problems facing Roma communities in Hungary.
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