Budapest doesn't want Viktor Orbán's “mini-Dubai”
The face of Budapest could change as a result of the construction of a business district. Supported by the government, this project hasn't met with the approval of the capital's population. The opposition has begun an arm wrestling match.
Viktor Orbán dreams of transforming the north-east of Budapest with a new business district featuring sky-high buildings. It will even be highlighted by Europe's tallest tower at 500m. Around this skyscraper, other towers and buildings will house hotels, offices, shopping centers and luxury apartments. The “Greater Budapest” project will require the demolition of a railway station. Investment in its construction is estimated at 12 billion euros.
Contract signed
A contract for the project has already been signed. The Hungarian government has chosen a Dubai-based developer, billionaire Mohamed bin Ali Al Abarr. The same man who built Burj Khalifa in the United Arab Emirates. This is the world's tallest tower (828m). Another name mentioned in this project is Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law. With this gigantic real estate project, Viktor Orbán doesn't just want to improve his relations, he also wants to create thousands of jobs. But the opposition, particularly in Budapest, doesn't agree. In fact, the population of the capital is very much against this prospect.
Counter-project
The ecologist mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karacsony, isn't following the Prime Minister's lead. In fact, by a vote of 23 to 10, he got the city council to exercise its right of pre-emption. Instead of a business district, he would prefer parks and affordable housing. And not towers that would only benefit “oligarchs close to the government. The government, which is so sensitive to issues of sovereignty, is seeking the favors of American and Arab investors with no concern for the people of Budapest who are opposed to this madness,” he wrote on Facebook. Another government opponent, Peter Magyar, declared that Hungarians “don't want a mini-Dubai and a Trump Tower, but health, education and working trains”.
(MH with Olivier Duquesne - Source : RFI - Picture : © picture alliance / robertharding | Nagy Melinda)