Mayor Karácsony: after the government’s funding cuts, public transport can no longer operate at its usual level

Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony added that Budapest’s going bankrupt would “undermine those that caused it.”

The government has withdrawn another 6.2 billion forints (EUR 16 million) from the metropolitan accounts, Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony said on Wednesday, adding that the move was a “fatal stab” to the city’s finances.

Karácsony said on Facebook that the government had so far withdrawn 46 billion forints (EUR 118 million) from the city’s accounts, while the central budget only contributed 22 billion to finance municipal services. “The city’s safe operations can no longer be maintained,” the mayor said, adding that public services such as transport could no longer be provided “at the usual and arguably expected level”.

He also added, however, that Budapest’s going bankrupt would “undermine those that caused it.”

Márton Nagy, the economy minister, said in response that “the government does not plunder Budapest, but contributes to its development.” The government has just recently announced a development package worth 1,000 billion forints concerning Liszt Ferenc International Airport, he said.

“The rules continue to apply to everybody … just like small companies or employees, the capital must also pay its taxes,” the minister said, referring to Budapest’s obligation to pay a solidarity tax.

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