Budapest city assembly setting up committee to probe corruption

The Budapest city assembly is setting up a committee to investigate suspected cases of corruption in recent years.

The Socialist Party, Democratic Coalition, Párbeszéd and Momentum have advanced the initiative with the support of Gergely Karácsony, the city’s mayor. The national ruling Fidesz party (which is in opposition in the metropolitan council) is also delegating members to the committee, Deputy Mayor Gábor Kerpel-Fronius (Momentum) told a press conference on Wednesday.

The press and corruption researchers have uncovered a multitude of suspected cases in Budapest, and it is important to follow these up, he said, adding criminal charges could be potentially raised.

Suspected cases include a public tender for pest control in 2018, the city zoo’s biodome, the city’s parking operations in the past 15 years, the Rác Baths renovation and construction, the renovation of Metro 3, the construction of Metro 4, the development of an e-ticket system for public transport and the so-called “Whale” building development by the Danube.

Kerpel-Fronius said they back Zsolt Láng’s (Fidesz) amendment proposal to examine cases before 2010.

Asked whether former Budapest mayor Gábor Demszky and the current mayor would also be subjects of investigation, he said they would, and, if wrongdoing was shown, would be held accountable.

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Asked about who would take responsibility if someone were hurt while crossing the city’s Chain Bridge due to its poor state of repair, he said

the bridge was being inspected daily and the current administration would take political responsibility.

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Source: MTI