Hungary and Italy back Czech push to protect heavy industry

Industry Minister Karel Havlíček (ANO) said Hungary and Italy had joined Czech efforts to protect heavy industry from rising carbon emission costs under the EU ETS system. Speaking in Brussels, Havlíček said the wider coalition now included up to ten countries, with France and Spain also supporting parts of the Czech position. Prague wants energy-intensive industries such as steel, glass and chemicals to continue receiving free emission allowances. The European Commission is expected to present reforms of the EU emissions trading system in July. Czechia argues the current system risks damaging European industrial competitiveness.