Is Hungary’s historic election result good news for the climate?

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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Euronews or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Following his election victory, Péter Magyar has pledged major renewable energy investments and tougher environmental regulation in Hungary, marking a potential shift away from the climate-sceptic policies of former prime minister Viktor Orbán

🔭 The context: Orbán frequently criticized the European Union’s climate ambitions as a “utopian fantasy” and maintained strong energy ties with Russia
• Magyar’s Tisza Party has promised to end reliance on Russian energy by 2035, double renewable energy share by 2040, and rebuild cooperation with Brussels, potentially unlocking billions in frozen EU green transition funds

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Hungary’s policy shift could accelerate clean energy deployment and stronger environmental enforcement in Central Europe
• The government also plans stricter oversight of battery factories accused of pollution, aiming to ensure that the EV supply chain does not come at the cost of local air, soil and water quality

⏭️ What’s next: Magyar’s government plans investments in renewables, water management and climate adaptation, including irrigation upgrades and water retention infrastructure to address rising drought risks affecting agriculture

💬 One quote: “Investments cannot endanger people’s health and the competitiveness of the country cannot be built on the environment.”

📈 One stat: A 2024 heatwave and drought caused over 100 billion forints (€273 million) in damage to Hungary’s agricultural sector, highlighting the growing climate pressures on the country’s economy

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