Budapest mayor does not want fireworks but can do nothing
Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony does not want fireworks in the capital on 20 August, but he cannot stop them.
One after another, cities are announcing that they will not hold fireworks on the Hungarian state’s biggest holiday, 20 August. The reason is simple, cities do not want to spend money on this because of economic difficulties, high inflation and prices, 444.hu reports.
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It is not only opposition-led settlements that cancel fireworks. They are cancelled in several Fidesz-led cities as well. For example, Székesfehérvár, led by Fidesz leader András Cser-Palkovics, has published a statement on its website saying that, as in previous years, there will be no fireworks on 20 August.
The Mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karácsony, also spoke on the matter. Fidesz had planned Europe’s biggest fireworks display in Budapest this year. “In this economic situation, it is a waste of money to have a firework display of the size the government is planning for 20 August. Although I think it is important to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the state in a dignified way, we could do it within the bounds of reason,” Karácsony wrote on his Facebook page.
“I have no say in what and how much the government plans to do in the capital. If it were up to me, there would be no fireworks, and the billions would go to help those who are now forced to pay higher rents on top of out-of-control prices.”
“We are facing tough months ahead, people need support, not fireworks with their tax money. There’s still a month to go, it’s not too late to call off the celebrations and get on with the business of the people. And then, when the days are better, let us have a lightshow instead, the fireworks are outdated anyway, polluting the environment and endangering wildlife,” concludes Karácsony.
Source: 444.hu, Facebook
The Department of Fire Protection should step in and ban the fireworks. The Mayor of Budapest has the authority to direct the Fire Department to do so.