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production, end of this month. to weaken EURO 7 emission Eurosceptic wing of ODS.
“As South Akcakoca 2, Guluc 2 and “The norm is very draconic the way
West Akcakoca 1 wells targeted resource standard European Commission has proposed
prospects, not reserves, Trillion has it,” Vondra told Czech Radio. “There are
significantly increased the proved reserves The Czech Minister of Transportation absolutely draconic timelines, the system of
through the drilling program to date. We Martin Kupka (ODS) initiated a meeting of the monitoring of further emissions, which
expect to release our updated reserve report eight EU member states which, according would effectively end the production of cars
by the end of the month.” to him, want to block the EURO 7/VII with CO2 in two years, which would affect
law aimed at limiting health-harming car the low-income parts of the population
pollutants. primarily,” he added.
Bulgaria’s Bulgargaz proposes German-initiated objections put the aim was to “talk about our objections to the
Kupka also tweeted from Strasbourg his
This comes shortly after surprise
lower price of natural gas for EU’s CO2 law on hold, renewing the car draft of the EURO 7 emission standard and
industry’s lobbying to weaken the EU’s
the possibilities of mutual cooperation in
April, May efforts to phase out combustion engines by promoting its change”. At a press conference
2035.
in Prague, he mentioned France and Spain
Bulgaria’s state-owned gas supplier “We managed to organise a meeting of among the countries he wants to talk to
Bulgargaz said on March 14 it has proposed eight important [member] states which over changes to EURO 7.
to the state energy and water regulation have a similar view of EURO 7 as the ODS has a long history of Eurosceptic
committee (KEVR) to lower wholesale Czech Republic,” Kupka posted on Twitter and climate sceptic views, most notably
price of natural gas for April and May amid from Strasbourg late on Monday. “Eight personified by its founder Vaclav Klaus,
falling prices on international markets. states means a clear message that EURO 7 who left the party years ago and gradually
The natural gas price in Bulgaria has needs to change,” he added in reference to moved to extremist positions openly
been falling since the start of the year as Germany, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Portugal, supporting far-right SDP party advocating
the country is receiving cheaper gas from Romania, and Slovakia. Czexit in the municipal election last
Azerbajan and thanks to falling prices on Kupka argues that the implementation autumn.
international markets. of EURO 7 threatens to make the EU car ODS’s current leader and Czech Prime
For April, Bulgargaz proposes a price industry less competitive and that it would Minister Petr Fiala has profiled himself as
of BGN103.08 (€52.7) per MWh, down by slow down the overall shift to less polluting a more moderate politician, giving ODS
3.42% m/m. cars. a new face not connected to the many
For May, the company is seeking a At a press conference in Prague before corruption scandals for which the party
further decrease of price, by 10.23% y/y to leaving for Strasbourg, Kupka said that became notorious in the late 2000s and
BGN92.54 per MWh. “emissions norm EURO 7 would at present early 2010s, effectively paving the way for
At the start of March, KEVR approved threaten automobile industry across the populist billionaire Andrej Babis and his
a gas price valid for March of BGN106.74 whole Europe. Together with it work anti-corruption agenda, which catapulted
per MWh, or 14.15% lower compared to opportunities would be threatened as well”. him to the government after the elections
February. Kupka said he wants a “more realistic in 2013. His party ANO remained in power
version of the norm” and was joined in until ousted by the ODS-led bloc of right-
Strasbourg by Czech MEP and his party wing and centrist parties in the election in
Czech government leads efforts colleague Alexandr Vondra, who is one of 2021. ™
the vocal representatives of the climate and

Week 12 22•March•2023 www. NEWSBASE .com P15