Hungarian Conservative

About 5 per cent of the Hungarian GDP is generated by the auto industry, therefore, initially, the EU’s decision to ban the sale of all new combustion-engine cars in 2035 was met with resistance in Hungary. Due to the ban, it is expected that from 2035 on practically only electric vehicles will be allowed to be sold in the European single market, which could have left the Hungarian economy that was dependent on the old technology vulnerable. Fortunately, however, Hungary showed a remarkable ability to adapt to the changing circumstances. In the past two years since the ban was proposed electric battery manufacturers have been engaged, which helps facilitate the green transition of the Hungarian car industry.

According to a recent POLITICO article, EU member states should impose sanctions on Russian nuclear energy, but Hungary’s opposition makes this impossible. Meanwhile, several states in the EU are cooperating with Russian nuclear energy companies, hiding behind Hungary’s veto, and acting behind the scenes to protect their interests.

On Saturday, 17 February, Viktor Orbán delivered his 25th State of the Nation address, which was centred around topics such as the scandal surrounding President Katalin Novák, the reinforcement of the child protection system, Hungary’s relationship with the European Union, and the forthcoming EU and US elections.

Brussels recently unveiled its climate target, adjusted in the wake of the farmer protests. However, the ambitious plan is still founded on a flawed approach: the EU is prioritizing mitigation over adaptation, imposing a greater financial burden on member states than what is truly necessary.

Palkovics emphasized that approximately 20 per cent of Hungary’s energy mix is consumed in the transport sector, primarily relying on fossil fuels. This dependence poses a considerable challenge to transitioning towards sustainable, domestically producible energy sources that are less burdensome on the environment.

László Botka, the mayor of Szeged, called the signing historically significant for both the city and Hungarian economic history. He welcomed the close cooperation between the Szeged local government and the government on the matter, saying that the common goal is the quick construction of the factory.

On the margins of the Hungarian PM’s visit to Huawei’s headquarters in Shenzhen, Minister of Economic Development Márton Nagy and Gao Weijie, the CEO of Huawei Technologies Hungary and the Western Balkans Region signed a memorandum of understanding, further deepening the strategic cooperation between the Hungarian government and Huawei that began in 2013.

According to Áder, a viable solution in preventing a global climate disaster can only be reached through an agreement involving the G20 nations, wherein the preferred and sanctioned activities are outlined. He stressed the need for a well-monitored system that prioritizes long-term sustainability over competitive advantage.

Environmental protection and sustainability have been integral to shaping Europe’s future for decades. The theme and policy framework of the green transition are among the most prominent programmes of the European Commission’s activities, and they have not been overshadowed by the pandemic or the Russo-Ukrainian war, Minister for Regional Development Tibor Navracsics said at the GreenTech exhibition and conference in Zalaegerszeg.

‘If in the coming years, the world cannot transition to electric-based transportation, then all environmental goals, climate goals, and green objectives will remain naïve illusions,’ Péter Szijjártó explained at the groundbreaking ceremony of the new factory of the South Korean EcoPro company.

The massive electric vehicle-related investments that Debrecen has secured over the past year represent a major step in Hungary’s shift toward a more sustainable economic development.

Some observers believe that the war offers a painful but historic opportunity for Europe to detach itself from fossil fuels more rapidly than planned, and the scarcity of energy will bring the required green shift in societal attitudes, as well as the operation of the economy.