Hungarian opposition submits draft resolution aimed at boosting energy security

Opposition Párbeszéd on Monday said it is submitting a draft resolution to parliament with a view to improving public energy supplies and boosting Hungary’s energy security.

Detailing the proposal at an online press conference, Párbeszéd co-leader Rebeka Szabó said the resolution calls on the government to withdraw its decree easing restrictions on tree-felling for firewood.

Bence Tordai, the other co-leader, told the same press conference that Párbeszéd is calling on the government to base its improvement of Hungary’s energy security on renewables rather than “20th century technology”.

• Read also: Caution! Deadly virus spreading in Hungary

The resolution also calls for lifting the ban on the construction of wind farms in Hungary, Tordai said. Párbeszéd also wants the government to scrap the tax on solar panel and geothermal systems, and lower associated VAT, he added.

Further, the government should earmark at least HUF 200 billion (EUR 508.8m) a year for building upgrades which increase energy efficiency, and install heat-pump boilers in schools, he said. Meanwhile, Tordai insisted that while Russia had reportedly offered to sell Hungary only a fraction of the extra 700 million cubic metres of gas requested, the government was still “legitimising Putin’s war regime”.

Read alsoThis is why Ryanair received a huge fine from the Hungarian government

Source: MTI