Orbán government buys palace in Brussels to begin culture war?

In a strategic move, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has secured a palace in Brussels, on Rue de la Loi. The Hungarian state recently purchased the former Belgian Ministry of Finance building.

Bringing Hungarian culture to the European Quarter

Politico recently highlighted Orbán Viktor’s endeavor to bring a “culture war” to Brussels by opening a palace on Rue de la Loi. This move can be seen as an attempt to infuse a touch of Hungarian culture and intimacy into the heart of the European Quarter. The building, now owned by the Hungarian state, is strategically positioned within a 10-15 minute walk of the main EU institutions. This location symbolises Hungary’s dedication to active participation in European affairs. According to Economx, the historic property is ready to serve as a pivotal hub for Hungary’s diplomatic and cultural initiatives within the EU.

Renovating a symbolic palace

The purchased property, located at 9 Rue de la Loi, holds immense prestige value. Olivier Carette, executive director of the Belgian Real Estate Association, expressed confidence in the Hungarian state’s advantageous acquisition. Moreover, he cited the building’s status as one of the “Triple A” or top-rated properties in Brussels. He anticipates a substantial increase in its value following the completion of a full renovation scheduled for June 2024.

Strategic real estate deal

Furthermore, the Hungarian state managed to secure this 2,165 m2 building for EUR 10 million in 2021, a price below its appraised value. Acquiring the EUR 10 million property on Rue de la Loi strategically aligns with Hungary’s plan. They aim to host flagship programs during their upcoming EU presidency in 2024. This move reflects Orbán’s determination to strengthen Hungary’s influence within the European Union.

Progress and challenges

Ambassador Tamás Iván Kovács provided updates on the ongoing construction works, assuring that the current schedule points to a complete renovation by June 2024. Successfully acquiring the building, completing the interior furnishings, and transitioning after the renovation will pose a significant challenge, he said. This challenge applies to the contractors and the entire project team. Despite facing challenges, like a neighboring property owner contesting the building permit for the Hungarian House, the project is expected to meet its June handover deadline.

Future role of the Hungarian House

Starting in 2025, the Hungarian House will perform diplomatic functions. The Ambassador notes good progress in construction, they expect to complete the renovation by June 2024. Despite a permit challenge, common in Belgium, it hasn’t slowed the process. The Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, along with the Hungarian Embassy in Brussels, are the investors. After the renovation in the second half of 2024, the Hungarian House will host priority programs for the Hungarian EU Presidency. Looking ahead, post-2025 and contingent on government decisions, the building will serve diverse roles, with both diplomatic and cultural purposes.

For more information about European politics and culture, read our latest articles on the European Union HERE.

Source: Economx

8 Comments

  1. Laughable, reckless use of tax payers Hungarians money.
    Wants and Needs of Hungary, at this evolving perilous time.
    This is a Want, like soccer stadiums etc. etc. etc. – that we have allowed, the Orban Government to practice, at our expense, our quality of lives.
    NEEDS – just appalling and it worsens, this Orban Governments abuse of our taxes that just EXPLODES in the message, they are clueless in there ability as an individual is Orban and his Government to PRIORITIZE.

  2. Ironic location name as well – Loi is Law in French, so Law Street!

    Wonder who the lucky contractor is – our Politicians always pay very well for construction work.

    https://openpermits.brussels/fr/_04/PFD/1869079 – leave on your autotranslate if you don’t read French …

    Btw – the Hungarian Embassy in Brussels is something else … Unfriendly. No other word for it.

  3. Agree to it, the opinion made by former United States of America – President Bill Clinton, who said :
    “Hungarians find Democracy to difficult to get there heads around understand it and be able to practice, its true meaning.”
    Don’t “play the man” attacking or criticizing Clinton, zoom in on what is his opinion, the words, the meaning of his opinion and words.
    Is he correct or in-correct, as at this point in time, and it worsens, we as a country clearly are displaying, that we have thrown our hands up in the air, and Democracy is just to complexed for us to accept and practice, and that the DNA of us, still remains in-grained to the 1945-2018 ideas and philosophy of Government.

    Robert H. Jackson 1892-1953 – read of his life which is Educational.
    Jackson was the Chief Prosecutor of the United States of America, at the Nuremberg Trials 1945-1946.
    Jacksons opening statement at these trials, his oratorical prowess, through his skillfulness and expertise of writing, made his presentation at the opening of the Nuremberg Trials – History.

    Jackson, did leave many quotes of his journeys in life, what he saw and experienced and this quote, for Hungarians – may be WORTH considering and being EXERCISED – as it is a Right of Democracy – Orderly.
    Jackson said;
    ” It is not the Function of Government in Power that Rules and Governs under Democracy – to keep citizens from Falling into Error.
    It is the function of citizens, to keep Governments from Falling into Error.”

    What a dilemma, or a conundrum we are faced with in Hungary.
    It must NEVER be forgotten that solidarity, the Power of People, can bring change, and in the case of Hungary, for the betterment of our Future.

    Gandhi’s – read of the Salt March, what eventually it received.
    Gandhi, “lawed” it to be conducted Orderly.
    Gandhi – his words – “in solidarity conducted orderly, we can and will make change.

  4. Ho Hum, “How do I hate thee (Orban) let me count the ways”. Have any of the commentators ever said anything nice about the government, the people and country of Hungary? Supporting communists, socialists, globalist does not mean that everything that is rotten in this world is Hungary’s fault. Do commentators have any love for either the country or the people?

  5. Mariavontheresa – Maintaining a place of calling my-self a Francized supporter of Fidesz, I commentate, on decisions and directions, that Orban appears to me, taking Hungary, that are NOT focused on the NEEDS – the day to day needs and into the future of each and every Hungarian, from what-ever “station in life” they come.”
    My commentaries, secondly to the NEEDS of individual Hungarians then expands as to – What is best for Hungary.
    Like my Faith, as a baptized Roman Catholic, my position same as my Political position, that I’m a FRANCIZED Catholic, not always agreeing to Pope Francis.
    Do I have Love for my fellow brothers and sisters of Hungary – certainly.
    The tears from my eyes often, they water the flowers of my Heart, wanting life for all my fellow countrymen and women, families, there children, to enjoy the “riches of life” the “beauty of life” and live peaceful lives, that in solidarity together as a people, a country that can grow, whether alone fight to survive, the harshness of times, that we ALL live.
    I encourage dialogue, as its a Creed of Democracy.
    I like this Hungarian saying, though I fail it, on a regular basic’s – Jot tenni jo ”
    It’s Good to be Good.
    Harold Macmillan said;
    “Too many people live to much in the past.
    The past must be a springboard, not a sofa.
    I have learnt, that in all negotiations nothing matters except the will to reach a balanced agreement.”
    In my commentary writings to this newspaper, criticized often for what I write, my reaction(s) are likened to a Desmond Tutu quote.
    Tutu wrote.
    ” I can’t control what happens to me, but I can control how I respond.”
    On a lighter note, instead of us passing comments and opinions, on how to save Hungary and the wider World from the growing self destructive processes it goes on pursuing.
    President Charles De Gaulle – rightly or wrongfully said;
    ‘I have come to the conclusion that Politics are too serious a matter, to be left to Politicians.”
    I hope you have forwarded me your Christmas present of a Jar of Maple Syrup ?
    In my youth, I loved what we called, in the country of my birth – Golden Syrup.
    I have my Christmas gift, ready to mail onto you, a jar of Vegemite.

  6. The true “communist” regimes in the world, N Korea, Cuba, and perhaps Venezuela, are all supported by Russia and Orban in turn supports Russia and Putin. You can be guaranteed that the Kremlin will be using Hungary’s government office in Brussels as a proxy in its’ quest to undermine the EU. It will be used for Russian espionage.

  7. There is an anti-Hungarian commentator who goes by different names and spews his/her vitriol in lengthy word salads.
    S/he intersperses the comments with CAPS, as if to stress the point. Nice try, but we aren’t buying your negatvity.

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