"You celebrate, we mourn" – protesters greeted the participants of the battery conference in Debrecen

Protesters greeted participants of the Hungarian Battery Days 2026 conference in Debrecen with a banner reading "You celebrate, we mourn." The event, organized by the Hungarian Battery Association, aimed to discuss the future of the battery industry with the government and civil organizations. The association highlighted significant investments in the sector, totaling 30 billion euros. A five-point proposal was prepared to address concerns related to the industry. The conference attracted around 230 participants from 20 countries and is considered the largest battery industry event in Central and Eastern Europe. Criticism arose from local representatives regarding the government's support for the CATL battery plant, which plans to employ thousands of non-EU workers and build new housing.