Budapest skirmish: City council challenges Orban's UAE project
The Budapest City Council is set to oppose Viktor Orban's plans on Wednesday, reports "Rzeczpospolita." The issue involves a development project by a company from the United Arab Emirates near the city centre that would feature skyscrapers and luxury apartments. The city authorities are saying "no."
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban travelled to the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday. The head of the Hungarian government is discussing the construction project of a Budapest luxury district with the European Union's tallest skyscrapers.
The project concerns an 85-hectare plot in the Rákosrendező area, a 7-minute underground ride from the city centre. The issue is that it belongs to the local government, and Orban's plans are opposed by the city authorities.
"The Mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karacsony, opposes the project envisioned by Viktor Orban in collaboration with Arab investors. The Hungarian Prime Minister has invited Eagle Hills, a company from Abu Dhabi, which plans to build a district of luxury high-rises there" - writes "Rzeczpospolita".
"Currently, there are green areas and an abandoned railway station. The mayor envisions the construction of a residential area there, which is much needed by the residents of Budapest" - adds the daily.
The company building Trump Tower in Belgrade
The topic of the UAE company's development project will be discussed at the city council session on Wednesday (29 January), and the city council will decide whether to give a green light to Orban's plans, though all indications are that they will say "no."
"Rz" adds that Eagle Hills, owned by Emirati billionaire Muhammad Ali Alabbar, is partnering with Donald Trump's son-in-law's company (Affinity Partners) to construct Trump Tower in the capital of Serbia.
