Visegrad Group Nations Reject EU Climate Tax

István Hollik, Communications Director of Fidesz (Hungarian PM Orban’s party), said Hungary and the Visegrad Group countries (Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Slovenia) will veto a new tax that Brussels plans to introduce “under the guise of fighting climate change.” Hollik said Europe is suffering from a “public utility crisis” for which Brussels clearly bears responsibility. He said that, under the guise of climate protection, Brussels had been making efforts to decrease traditional energy production while liberalizing gas and electricity markets without a transition period. “This has made European people and companies completely defenseless against energy suppliers,” he said. “And now they are saying that nothing can be done against high prices.”