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Viktor Orban waves after his annual state of the nation speech in front of his party members and sympathizers in Budapest(Credit: Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP)
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has gone green in his annual speech to the nation, surprising many by outlining his environmental ambitions.
Mr Orban used the state of the nation speech to appeal to the younger generation while also signaling tough times are ahead for the economy.
This year's speech comes as he finishes his 10th year in office.
"I inform you that this week the government has accepted a climate protection action plan. We have created a program with which by 2030 the energy produced in Hungary will be 90 percent free of CO2. This also shows that we believe that by 2030 it will still be us responsible for this."
However, Mr Orban wasn't supportive of all measures that are recommended to save the planet, telling the audience that people who advocate having fewer children to mitigate the effects of climate change are "crazy idiots."
"Why would you defend the climate if you don't have anybody to defend it for?"
He said Hungary's goal to be carbon neutral by 2050 would include plans to plant trees, subsidise electric cars and give subsidies to companies that use renewables.
He also outlined plans to make Hungary "clean and orderly" over the next two years.
"We will ban the one-use plastics and will make it possible to return glass and metal bottles. We will protect our rivers from the garbage arriving from abroad."
Critics have responded by saying Mr Orban only mentions environmental issues to seize the issue from opposition parties.
The right-wing Fidesz party, which has dominated since 2010, saw some unexpected losses in last year's local elections.
This might explain why the prime minister used his annual speech to try and broaden his appeal.
Mr Orban also reminded his supporters of his hard line against the Roma population, and his intention to introduce further measures to support families, but that the Government cannot afford them just now.
Mr Orban also hinted at tax cuts for labour and small businesses to ensure Hungary's competitiveness, while warning that dark clouds loom for the European economy.
