Hungarian green party turns to ombudsman over mine regulations

The opposition LMP party is turning to the ombudsman over a government decree which they say paves the way for open-cast mining in environmentally sensitive ecological corridors and protected areas.

The opinions of local communities in the affected areas of Recsk, Pilismarót, north of Budapest, and Madocsa, in the south, should be heard, board member Örs Tetlák told an online press briefing. The quality of life of residents should not be made secondary to profits, he added.

“The Protection of natural resources, especially that of farmland, forests and waterways, is part of our national heritage under the constitution,” Tetlák said.

The party expects the ombudsman for the protection of future generations and his deputy to review the legislation and advise parliament on aligning it with the Fundamental Law, he said.

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