Government launches national environmental watchdog, reforms child protection and drops mandatory chamber fees

In a broad policy rollout, the government confirmed the creation of a national environmental monitoring authority that will raise battery-manufacturing licensing to a countrywide level and introduce a “green guard” to enforce standards. The agency will also restructure the existing NÉBIH. Concurrently, the administration pledged to bolster the child-protection framework, highlighting a new crisis-care initiative that will serve eighty children who have run away from homes or face addiction issues.

In a separate announcement, the cabinet decided to scrap the compulsory 5,000-forint yearly membership fee for commercial and industrial chambers, after many entrepreneurs complained the fee offered no tangible return. The prime minister noted that such fees, along with portions of state subsidies, have been used for officials’ travel and public-relations expenses. The government expects the chambers to undergo a cleansing process and expressed willingness to work with the incoming leadership.