Budapest’s inner city could be redrawn: party district may join another district
Budapest’s historic Jewish Quarter could soon see a major administrative change: it may secede from Erzsébetváros (District VII) and join neighbouring Terézváros (District VI). The initiative was launched by Chief Rabbi Róbert Frölich and György Szabó, head of the Public Foundation for the Jewish Heritage of Hungary (Mazsök), who announced their plans earlier this autumn. Their goal is for Inner Erzsébetváros (the part of the district that includes the popular party quarter) to break away and form part of District VI.
Referendum could decide the outcome
According to the proposal, if residents of the Jewish Quarter vote in favour of secession in a referendum, Terézváros would also hold its own vote to approve the merger. Szabó explained this to Magyar Nemzet following a meeting with Terézváros Mayor Tamás Soproni.
“Tamás Soproni expressed his full support for the idea of Inner Erzsébetváros joining Terézváros. He confirmed that if the residents of District VII vote in favour of separation, District VI will naturally consult its own citizens about accepting the area,” Szabó said. He added that a public forum was already held in October, where residents authorised further negotiations. Another meeting will take place at the end of November to decide on the details of the referendum.
If the election committee approves the referendum initiative, the vote could officially take place, Szabó noted.
A lengthy and complex process
The rabbis emphasised that the procedure would be lengthy and complicated. It begins with a petition, followed by a referendum, approval from both districts involved, and finally a government decision. Even in the most optimistic scenario, the administrative transition could not come into effect before 2029, according to 24.hu.
Szabó highlighted: “Our synagogues, ritual baths, and restaurants are all here — everything that enables religious life to continue. Our faith ties us to this place; we don’t want to leave, but we do want change.”
Neglect and worsening public safety
The initiative stems from what the rabbis see as long-term neglect by both the Erzsébetváros and Budapest municipal governments. Frölich and Szabó argue that the district has become a site of “traffic experiments” that have made parking nearly impossible and created chaotic traffic conditions.
They also criticise the state of public cleanliness, saying it has reached “the point of posing health risks,” and cite worsening public safety and unregulated nightlife as key problems. According to them, the municipality has failed for years to set clear rules for bars and pubs and does not enforce existing regulations.
“It’s not just about the Jewish community”
Szabó stressed that the initiative is not solely about the Jewish community: “This concerns all residents of Erzsébetváros, regardless of religion or political affiliation.”
Budapest’s Jewish Quarter — bordered by Károly körút, Rákóczi út, Erzsébet körút, and Király utca — is one of the city’s busiest yet most controversial neighbourhoods. Whether the multi-year process will ultimately result in new district boundaries depends on the outcome of upcoming referendums and political decisions.
Why is it that we only hear about this rabbi as a proponent for change in the party district? God forbid that a rabbi could in any way be biased about the party district. Whenever there is a real problem in a district you will get a large group of people together who push for change. All I see is two religious leaders. These two guys are not going to rule over the Jewish district. There is a population of thousands who will need to be consulted and there will be other people who may have different ideas.