Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony seeks new law on municipal funding and autonomy

On June 3, Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony met with Minister of Rural Development and Settlement Lőrincz Viktória and leaders of seven municipal associations. The Hungarian Association of Local Governments presented a 23‑point reform package aimed at revising source allocation and restoring autonomy for towns and cities. Karácsony, who has advocated for a dedicated “Budapest law” since his first election in 2019, said the proposal could become a parliamentary bill, with the draft expected by the end of the year. He also discussed the plan with Transport and Investment Minister Vitéz Dávid, indicating ongoing cooperation with the government on the legislation.

The mayor highlighted additional issues such as potential reductions in mayoral salaries, the recent detention of district mayor Gergely Őrsi, and the formation of a new opposition grouping, but the central focus remains on the draft law that could reshape local governance in Hungary.