Orbán cancels European Parliament speech due to Hungary flooding
- Torrential rain and flooding in Hungary have led to at least 10 deaths and thousands of evacuations.
- Viktor Orbán postponed his speech at the European Parliament, which was to be a significant moment for his political group.
- The European Parliament is prepared to assist those affected and will reschedule the debate on Hungary's presidency priorities.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has postponed his scheduled speech at the European Parliament due to severe flooding in Hungary caused by torrential rain over the weekend. The extreme weather has resulted in at least 10 fatalities and forced thousands to evacuate their homes across Central and Eastern Europe. Orbán announced on Monday that he would be postponing all international obligations in light of the ongoing crisis. The speech was intended to be a significant moment for Orbán, marking his first address as a leader from the new right-wing Patriots group in the Parliament. It was also expected to be his first direct confrontation with MEP Peter Magyar, a domestic rival gaining traction in Hungary. The European Parliament expressed its readiness to assist those affected by the floods, with President Roberta Metsola communicating with Orbán regarding the postponement of the debate on Hungary's presidency priorities. The flooding situation has prompted neighboring Poland to prepare for a declaration of a state of natural disaster, highlighting the widespread impact of the extreme weather conditions in the region. Orbán's decision to cancel his speech reflects the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis at home, prioritizing the safety and well-being of Hungarian citizens over international engagements. As the situation develops, the European Parliament will reschedule the debate with Orbán, ensuring that discussions on Hungary's presidency activities can still take place once the immediate crisis has been managed. The postponement underscores the challenges faced by leaders in responding to natural disasters while balancing international responsibilities.