Brussels Concerned Over Hungary's Asbestos Scandal; Opposition Silent

The escalating asbestos contamination scandal in Hungary has drawn the attention of Brussels, highlighting the severity of the issue that has reportedly affected over 250 Hungarian towns and cities. Contaminated material from Austrian mines, operating with Austrian permits, is believed to have reached numerous locations across Hungary, including Budapest and the central Danube-Tisza region.

In response to the growing crisis, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker in Vienna, announcing the formation of a joint Hungarian-Austrian committee to investigate the situation. Péter Magyar, a prominent opposition figure, stated that while the responsible party, whether a company, individual, or political entity, remains unclear, Hungary will ultimately enforce the "polluter pays" principle.

However, the government's handling of the crisis has faced criticism. A scheduled committee meeting in Szombathely, a region heavily impacted by the contamination, was canceled by ruling party representatives and relevant ministry officials shortly before it was due to begin, rendering it unable to form a quorum. This move has been seen as indicative of the government's reluctance to directly confront the issue.

International pressure is mounting, with 14 anti-asbestos organizations and health experts sending an open letter to EU and Hungarian leaders, emphasizing the particular danger to children's health. Despite these calls for action and the government's announcement of a three-billion-forint fund for remediation, including asphalting affected streets, the implementation remains stalled, awaiting further government directives. The public awaits concrete steps as the long-term health consequences of asbestos exposure continue to pose a silent threat.

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but the polluter pays principle will be applied by Hungary in the end.