'Bring back Orban and Russian energy' - Budapest goes dark
Budapest switched off the decorative lighting on public buildings and landmarks on Sunday after Hungary's only nuclear power station shut down for the first time in its 44-year history.
The Paks Nuclear Power Plant was taken offline after record-low water levels on the Danube left it without enough water to cool its four Russian-built reactors. The 2,000-megawatt facility normally generates nearly half of Hungary's electricity.
The shutdown sparked political debate, with some residents blaming Prime Minister Peter Magyar's government and calling for former leader Viktor Orban to return.
"For 16 years, the Orban government has solved everything in the world... He should be put back there, and he would solve everything," one resident said.
Another resident argued that Hungary still depended on Russian energy supplies, while others said the country should have better prepared for the impact of falling river levels.
The government urged households and businesses to cut electricity use during peak hours, warning the shutdown could last for weeks as temperatures approach 40°C.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
