Greenpeace activists in Budapest have taken over the famous Liberty Statue to protest the proposed expansion of Hungary’s only nuclear power station.<br /><br />The pact, made between the Hungarian government and Russia, provides for two new reactors at the existing plant in the southern city of Paks.<br /><br />Monday’s demonstration follows the left-wing opposition parties’ rally on Sunday.<br /><br />Greenpeace is worried about the financial impact of the plan, as Energy and Climate Campaigner, Brigitta Bozsó explained: “We won’t be able to take advantage of the opportunities in renewable energy and energy efficiency if we commit ourselves to such a giga-investment now and we spend all our money on that,” she said. “What’s more, we’re burdening the population with a huge loan.”<br /><br />Campaigners say nuclear energy, with its environmental, security and economic risks, is not the best solution.<br /><br />Many Hungarians, meanwhile, are angry because they say the nuclear deal was agreed without consulting the people.<br /><br />Andrea Hajagos, euronews’ correspondent in Budapest, said: “As Greenpeace activists protest against the expansion of the Paks nuclear plant, parliamentary committees have already started to debate the project.”
