Péter Magyar faces first major political test as record-low Danube water levels threaten Hungary's energy supply
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar is navigating his first major political test as record-low water levels in the Danube River force a partial shutdown of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant. The plant, which typically provides 40% of Hungary's electricity, is operating at less than half its capacity due to a lack of water for cooling. Magyar stated that the government is managing the crisis by boosting output from other plants, increasing imports, and requesting voluntary consumption cuts from households and industries. While the opposition Fidesz Party, led by Viktor Orbán, has criticized the government's handling of the situation, Magyar's supporters argue that the crisis highlights the lack of infrastructure investment during the previous administration. The government has a contingency plan to limit industrial consumption on a rotation basis if necessary. Magyar emphasized that coordinated action and cooperation are essential to navigate the extraordinary circumstances of the Danube's retreat.