LMP to collect signatures to support initiative against Paks nuclear plant upgrade

Budapest, May 22 (MTI) – The opposition LMP party has decided to start collecting signatures to force the authorities to allow a referendum on a planned upgrade of the Paks nuclear plant.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, LMP co-leader Ákos Hadházy noted security, financial and corruption risks around the upgrade project, which his party has opposed since the beginning. He referred to a referendum in Switzerland, in which residents rejected nuclear energy, and said that “the Hungarian prime minister, however, thinks that Hungarian people should not occupy themselves with such trifles”.

Bernadett Szél, LMP’s other co-leader, said that “the government would not ask the Hungarian people but Russian President Vladimir Putin for directions”.

“Orbán has become a communist… who governs against the people, because more and more are aware of the risks around the Paks project and would vote accordingly in a referendum,” she said.

Szél also urged that parliament should ratify the Istanbul Agreement and pass legislation against domestic violence before the end of its spring season.

Photo: MTI