Justice minister: EC proposes 6 month expansion for Szekler Council minority petition

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed that the deadline for the Szekler Council's petition, aimed at ensuring European Union protection for ethnic regions across the bloc, be pushed out by six months, Justice Minister Judit Varga said in a Facebook post. The petition had already garnered 1 million signatures for the drive, but the coronavirus outbreak hindered collection of the required number in other member states, Varga noted. "Next to the organisers, I also turned to the Commission and asked for an extension ... The Commission's proposal would make it possible for further European citizens to support the initiative," Varga said. The European Parliament and Council will also have to approve the extension.