IN A MOVE that would be unprecedented in a modern democracy, Hungary’s new government is considering giving mothers with small children extra votes in elections.
The conservative Fidesz party has made several controversial decisions since coming to power on a populist right-wing agenda, including a crackdown on the media, but the latest proposal could prove to be its most contentious.
“Some 20 per cent of society are children,” said Jozsef Szajer, a senior Fidesz official and MEP. “This is quite a considerable group that is left out of representation. The interests of these future generations are not represented in decision-making.
“We know at first it seems an unusual idea, but in the 1950s it was unusual to give votes to black people; 100 years ago, it was unusual to give votes to women,” he said.
The party initially inserted the provision into a new permanent constitution expected to be approved today, but after polling showed the public was divided on the idea because of concerns Roma families would get additional votes, party officials opted instead for legislation.
Mr Szajer said he was inspired by the work of the American demographer Paul Demeny, who developed the concept in 1986. Under Demeny voting, each parent is given half a vote for each child, permitting a split vote in the event that the parents have differing political loyalties.
However, to counter concerns about the Roma winning more votes, Mr Szajer said that in the Hungarian case, the move would have “permitted the passage of a law giving mothers the vote on behalf of a maximum of one child”.
“The aim is to continue the debate and increase support for the idea not just in Hungary but in Europe,” he said.
– (Guardianservice)