From within the Roma community in Hungary -which has nearly 310,000 members, 3.6% of the total population according to 2011 census- last year came out a decision to create a party that represented the Roma at the political level. This party, the Roma Party of Hungary (MCP, Hungarian acronym) has now decided to run candidates for the 2014 Hungarian parliamentary election. MCP Spokesman Aladár Horváth has justified the decision by saying that the Roma are "segregated" in Hungary and that various political aprties operating in the country are contaminated by racism.

MCP considers that having its own MPs could help to denounce the rise of racism in Hungary and the effects of marginalization, which result in 70% to 90% of Roma being unemployed.

As a newly established party, MCP's base is still growing. According to MCP sources, the party has now some 5,000 members. One of the reasons that compel the Roma to join the party is to express a political responde to threats and attacks from anti-Roma parties and organizations, especially from followers of Jobbik, now the third largest party in Hungary. "We will defend ourselves", Horvath said, "the way the Roma do: in a strong, but non agressive way".

Horvath is a social activist for the rights of the Roma community. He was formerly a Hungarian MP in the the ranks of the Liberals.

At the same time, the party says it is willing to join efforts with other parties in order to make progress towards a new legislative framework that ensures real equality through "innovative political and economic programs" and an education leading to "social integration". MCP wants the other parties to collaborate in order to foster job opportunities for the Roma, so that it can be proved that the community members do work if they are allowed to.