The National Polish Minority Self-government of Hungary supports the mayor of Edeleny (NE Hungary) and asks the town's local government not to take sanctions against him, a letter sent by the Polish council's president to the local council of Edeleny on Tuesday shows.

The letter was written in support of Oszkar Molnar, whose recent statements have been widely seen as racist. Molnar, an MP of main opposition Fidesz, made statements about the Roma, gays and Jewish people. He told a local TV show that "[...] global capital -- Jewish capital if you like -- wants to devour the whole world, especially Hungary." He also made claims that pregnant Roma women deliberately harmed their unborn babies to secure higher state benefits. He earlier made derogatory remarks about a gay MP.

According to the letter the heads of the Polish minority self-governments discussed the issue of Molnar and ask the self-government of Edeleny not to take action against a person for his words "spoken in desperation." They described Molnar as someone "who has justified through his acts his collegiality and friendship towards the minorities for years".

In Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen county, where Edeleny is located, 12 towns and villages have a Polish population and Polish national self-governments.

"The national and local Polish self-governments could always count on Molnar's help and support towards the Polish minority," the letter said.