Agriculture Minister faces criticism over drought response

Government officials and political analysts are facing criticism over the delayed response to an extreme water crisis caused by severe droughts. An ex-minister accused Agriculture Minister Martin Šebestyán of inaction, noting that the government failed to convene necessary bodies required by the Water Code despite drought protocols being in place since 2021.

The criticism includes a lack of transparency and the absence of a National Recovery Plan. While the ex-minister advocated for water retention measures and rainwater harvesting, Minister Šebestyán defended the administration, stating that delays are due to pending calculations of total costs and expected European Union funding. Šebestyán noted that the Ministry of Agriculture is working in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and plans to discuss the crisis with the Prime Minister using regional data.

Political analysts have also questioned the effectiveness of the Ministry of Environment's leadership during the crisis, suggesting that government attention only intensified following public pressure after water levels in rivers and reservoirs dropped significantly in mid-August. Experts have advised that while infrastructure like dams is important, priority should be given to maintaining natural moisture levels.