Opposition introduces 21st district mayoral candidate

Budapest’s 21st district is in need of development schemes that will better the lives of its residents, Gergely Karácsony, the opposition’s joint candidate for Budapest mayor, said on Friday, introducing the opposition’s local mayoral candidate.

The district needs more green areas rather than “the buildings of a creeping Olympics” or a wrestling arena, Karácsony told a press conference.

“It’s not Szilárd Némeths but leaders who will help the local community that are needed,” he said, referring to the local leader of the ruling party.

Karácsony said the autumn local election was not just about the race between Fidesz and the opposition parties, but also about “taking the city back together”.

Éva Erdősi, the local candidate, said she wanted to be a mayor for all of the district’s residents. She said the locals were tired of being called “the capital’s poorest district”, insisting that this had to change.