Fidesz MEP: Energy crisis affects every group of society

The drastic increase in energy prices hitting Europe as the consequence of the war in Ukraine and the related EU sanctions has had a negative effect not just on certain vulnerable groups, but all groups of society, an MEP of ruling Fidesz told MTI on Wednesday.

Boglárka Illés addressed an inter-parliamentary meeting entitled “International Women’s Day 2023: Gender aspects of energy poverty” organised by the EP’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality.

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The whole of Europe is struggling with energy supply shortages and this crisis has already seriously hit households as well as companies, she said, adding that “the European Parliament still views this global crisis from a gender aspect”.

Illés said that at the meeting she asked for the participating MEPs’ support in allowing Hungary to access the recovery funds it is entitled to, arguing that “we need those funds to carry out our infrastructure and energy-saving development projects also in the construction sector”.

The MEP said she was “shocked” that at the meeting only she and a fellow MEP from Slovakia had raised the issue of peace in connection with the ongoing war. “I told the meeting that the sooner peace talks start between Ukraine and Russia the shorter could be the time period for EU citizens to face such high energy prices.”

“I think, we, elected national MEPs must serve our country and its citizens; and in that spirit it is absolutely clear that our duty is to promote peace,” Illes said.