Monitor: Odor: New EU Emission Rules Changes Shouldn't Be Abrupt But Gradual

(STVR, 'Sobotne dialogy', 5 October) The European Union should transition to a zero-emission economy as soon as possible, but not at any cost and the new emission allowances under the ETS2 scheme, set to apply to European households from 2027, should be introduced gradually rather than abruptly, MEP Ludovit Odor from Progressive Slovakia (PS) said on STVR's politics programme 'Sobotne dialogy' (Saturday Dialogues). Odor emphasised that "the system must not bring abrupt changes for citizens." Fellow MEP Branislav Ondrus from Voice–SD, also on the show, joined in the criticism of the ETS2 scheme, calling it poorly conceived. Ondrus acknowledged the importance of reducing harmful gases but described the current approach of the European Green Deal as disastrous. „Firstly, it is unsustainable in terms of social impacts, and secondly, consider all that the EU has already done to reduce emissions – yet last year we recorded the highest global CO2 emissions in history,” he noted. The MEPs also addressed the proposed ban on Russian gas imports to Slovakia. Odor stressed the importance of moving away from Russian energy to avoid funding the war in Ukraine. Ondrus did not dispute the role of gas revenues in financing the war but warned that a drastic shift away from Russian imports would deepen the EU’s dependence on the United States. „We are about to deepen the already brutal dependence of the European economy on the United States – a country that is currently the most unpredictable trading partner in the world,” Ondrus said. Both MEPs also criticised the recently approved amendment to the Slovak Constitution. „This change helps no one,” Odor stated, expressing regret that part of the opposition played into Prime Minister Robert Fico’s (Smer-SD) hands, allowing him to divert attention from the failed consolidation of public finances. Ondrus expressed concern over what the amendment lacked. „I regret that the amendment did not eliminate the single electoral district, which causes unfair and insufficient representation of regions in Parliament,” he said. On the potential abolition of the Specialised Criminal Court, Odor called such discussions “absolute nonsense.” „All of this only serves to protect their own people and, to some extent, to shield extremism,” he stated. Ondrus said he was unaware of any support from Voice–SD for such a proposal. He admitted he is not an expert in the judiciary and could not express a personal opinion, but he understands that the politicization of the Special Prosecutor’s Office contributed towards its dissolution. mf