ECR group calls for climate action after Central and Eastern Europe floods

Recent heavy rainfall in Central and Eastern Europe, attributed to a slow-moving low-pressure system known as Storm Boris, has caused devastating floods, resulting in at least eight fatalities. Historic cities such as Vienna, Bratislava, and Prague have been severely affected, with rivers overflowing their banks in Poland and the Czech Republic. In Klodzko, Poland, local authorities evacuated 1,600 residents as record water levels inundated the area, leaving the village partially submerged. Red alerts remain in effect across several countries, indicating ongoing risks from extreme weather events. In response to these catastrophic floods, the ECR Group in the European Parliament convened a special meeting to discuss the urgent need for practical measures to combat climate change. MEP Waldemar Buda, the ECR coordinator in the Committee on Regional Development, emphasized that existing regulations often hinder the implementation of necessary infrastructure projects, such as polders and reservoirs. He called for the European Parliament to request a detailed strategy from the European Commission outlining specific actions, timelines, and funding sources. Buda criticized the current political climate, stating that the EU's Green Deal policy has obstructed investments that could alleviate the impacts of climate change. He argued that climate change is an inevitable reality, and it is crucial to build the necessary infrastructure rather than complicate the process. The ECR Group's call for action highlights the pressing need for a coordinated response to climate-related disasters, advocating for immediate and effective measures to protect communities from future flooding and other extreme weather events.