Budapest City Assembly rejects motion on Capital Development Council scandal

The Fidesz-KDNP parliamentary group was outvoted in the Budapest City Assembly during an attempt to address a controversy involving the Capital Development Council (FKT). The group had requested an extraordinary session following several agreements made between the government and the capital earlier this month, which have faced opposition from various district mayors.

Opposition parties, representing approximately one-third of the Assembly, sought to ensure that Mayor Gergely Karácsony only supports FKT decisions that have received prior approval from the City Assembly. Additionally, they proposed granting district mayors advisory rights during FKT sessions to improve transparency. The motion to include these items on the agenda was rejected by a vote of 17 to 10, with two abstentions.

Fidesz-KDNP leader Anna Szepesfalvy stated that the Assembly has a duty to direct Budapest’s development. The dispute also involves a new parking fee collection system, with disagreements centering on how revenue is distributed between the central city and its individual districts.