Popular Budapest party district to be ‘cleaned up’ by the government

The Inner-Erzsébetváros region of the VII. district of Budapest, also known as the party district, is frequented by many tourists all year round. Recently, the Hungarian government has found that public safety is so poor on the popular party site that intervention on the part of authorities is now absolutely necessary.

The government announced in the Tuesday evening issue of the Hungarian Gazette (Magyar Közlöny) – the country’s official journal, which among other things publishes legislation and the prime minister’s instructions and announcements – that it must intervene in the operation of the party district of Budapest, index.hu reports.

According to the Gazette, “the Government has examined the public security situation in Inner-Erzsébetváros, and on the basis of this examination has concluded that the public security situation in Inner-Erzsébetváros, with particular attention to events held in and around the Gozsdu Courtyard in Budapest, District VII, requires government intervention.”

The government set out a twofold task: Minister of National Economy Márton Nagy has been tasked to “examine the possibility of establishing a new police station in the area of Inner-Erzsébetváros, District VII of Budapest.” In connection with this, Interior Minister Sándor Pintér must ensure that the police force needed to strengthen public security in the party district is adequate.

Both tasks must be completed by 15 June 2024. The decision is signed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

The full issue of the Hungarian Gazette is available HERE, in Hungarian.

Politicians react to the new supervision of the party district

As highlighted by index.hu, the mayor of the district, Péter Niedermüller, has already called for more police officers in these high-traffic party areas.

Niedermüller pointed out that under the previous administration, there was virtually “no regulation of the so-called party district,” as decision-makers tried to avoid any backlash or scandal over possible tightening of rules. By contrast, Niedermüller believes his office has consciously taken on a new role, one that aims to rid the party district of the negative image that it often carries.