Floods in Hungary lead to disputes between Orbán and opposition
Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán (Getty Images)
Recent floods in Hungary, caused by Storm Boris, have sparked political tensions between Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and opposition leader Péter Magyar.
Tibor Tompa, head of the Hungarian community in Kyiv and the Kyiv region, shared this with RBC-Ukraine.
"The water level is expected to peak around Thursday in Budapest. A significant portion of the Danube's banks in Budapest is currently closed. Preparations are underway. Against this backdrop, there’s a significant increase in political strife. Orbán and the Hungarian government are using this crisis to strengthen their power," Tompa said.
According to him, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is leveraging the natural disaster to criticize opposition forces.
"The opposition, especially Péter Magyar, leader of the TISZA opposition party, is being discredited and tarnished. Unfortunately, this tragedy that has now befallen Hungary is being exploited for political gain," Tompa added.
At the same time, the opposition leader is criticizing the central government for their independent flood prevention measures.
"I’ve heard from government officials that the Hungarian opposition and Péter Magyar are also using these moments to promote themselves. He’s been out on the scene, at these barriers being built, helping as well. He’s asking, 'Excuse me, but where is the Hungarian army, where are the other structures that should be dealing with this?'" Tompa emphasized.
Storm Boris has impacted Central and Eastern European countries, causing heavy rains and floods. The hardest-hit countries include Czechia, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Romania, and Hungary.
More on why the Hungarian government frequently opposes Ukraine and the current political climate in Hungary will be available soon on RBC-Ukraine.
Floods in Europe
Over the weekend, Storm Boris hit Central and Eastern Europe, bringing heavy rains and flooding. The death toll from the disaster in Europe has already reached 16 and continues to rise. New victims have been reported in Czechia, Poland, and Austria, while entire villages in eastern Romania have been submerged.
Polish journalist Igor Kravets from Radio Reset Obywatelski told RBC-Ukraine that the number of affected individuals could reach tens of thousands. Property damage is extensive, with water levels reaching the first floors of buildings in flooded cities.
