New Mayor Tarlos: Budapest Will Need State Assistance

  • 19 Oct 2010 2:00 AM
New Mayor Tarlos: Budapest Will Need State Assistance
"Budapest's lack of funds and debts appear to be unmanageable without state help, newly elected mayor Istvan Tarlos told reporters last week. Certain duties will have to be transferred to the state, he said, adding that he will meet Prime Minister Viktor Orban soon. Budapest's day-to-day finances are not in danger, but the fiscal situation is worrisome, and next year's budget is in doubt, he said, adding that the State Audit Office has been asked to examine ways of funding the city.

Their biggest concern, he continued, is public transport company BKV, whose debts exceed Ft 400 billion. Tarlos said he and Orban will discuss how the city and the state can operate the BKV in co-operation with state railway company MAV and state-owned bus network Volan.

The question of reducing staff has arisen, he remarked, as it is not known why BKV has as many office clerks as bus drivers.

Tarlos said the fourth metro line will be built but he did not know where the funds will come from. He said the line is expected to be completed in 2014 or 2015.

Tarlos said various important tasks need to be addressed, such as the creation of a standardised parking system, the expansion of Park and Ride facilities, the development of cycling, and the retuning of traffic lights.

He announced that half of city council’s eight committees will be run by opposition politicians, with Fidesz chairing the economic, education, health and budget committees. The Socialists will run the finance and urban development committees, public procurement will be overseen by Jobbik, while Politics Can Be Different (LMP) will run the legal affairs committee.

Former deputy mayor Janos Atkari will be a financial advisor to Tarlos, but will have neither a political nor a decision-making role.

Tarlos's deputies will be Istvan Gyorgy for operations, Miklos Csomos for education and culture, Gabor Bagdy for finance, and Imre Pesti for health and social affairs."

Source: Hungary Around the Clock.

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