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Vsquare: Skyscraper deals sparks controversy in Hungary
Budapest is set for a dramatic transformation, with plans unveiled for the "Grand Budapest" Europe's tallest skyscraper. The project, announced by the government on January 20, has already sparked controversy, with critics noting that the deal is shrouded in secrecy.
The €12.3 billion project wi by Eagle Hills, a development firm led by Mohammed Alabbar, the billionaire mastermind behind Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. The monumental design will rise on a 100-hectare area in central Budapest. The government will only receive the full payment if it commits to investing €800 million in surrounding infrastructure and traffic upgrades.
A government source told investigative outlet Vsquare that the timing of the contract’s announcement was not coincidental. Speculation swirls that the project could involvement from Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner in the future, though no formal ties have been disclosed.
US Ambassador warns of Hungary’s democratic decline under Orbán
David Pressman, the outgoing US ambassador to Hungary, has criticized Viktor Orbán’s government, warning of its impact on democratic institutions. In an interview with The New York Times, Pressman described Hungary as “a living example of how vulnerable democratic institutions actually are and how easy it is for ill-intentioned leaders to exercise control over citizens.”
Pressman, a human rights lawyer and diplomat, ended his mission earlier this month after serving since September 2022. Reflecting on his time in Hungary, he suggested that his focus on democracy and human rights had been perceived as a threat by the Orbán government.
“The government has effectively taken control of two things: money and the media,” he explained. “It then uses those two things to punish individuals who ask questions or express views that are dissonant with the government’s policy.”
He also highlighted the government’s use of George Soros as a political scapegoat, portraying the billionaire philanthropist as a sinister figure. “They’ve cast Soros as this shadowy, oligarch Jewish billionaire who is attempting to undermine Hungary’s sovereignty at every turn,” Pressman said, calling out the anti-Semitic undertones of such rhetoric.
Viktor Orbán: Antal Rogán's position has been strengthened like never before
In his first state radio interview of the year, Hungary's far-right Prime Minister Viktor Orbán defended Antal Rogán, a senior government official recently sanctioned by the US Treasury Department over alleged corruption. Orbán portrayed the sanctions as proof of his effectiveness.
“Antal Rogán's position in Hungarian politics and the Hungarian government has been strengthened as never before,” Orbán declared.
Orban described Rogán as “the number one guardian of Hungarian sovereignty,” suggesting that the US sanctions were a 'badge of honor'. “If a major power is punishing him, it means he is doing his job well,” he said.
Rogán, the head of Orbán’s cabinet office and oversees Hungary’s civilian intelligence services, is widely regarded as a key operative within the ruling Fidesz party. Often referred to as Orbán’s “propaganda minister,” Rogán has been a key figure in orchestrating the government’s communication strategies.
The US Treasury Department’s decision to sanction Rogán forms part of broader concerns over corruption and the erosion of democratic norms in Hungary. Critics argue that the sanctions signal the deepening conflict between Orbán’s administration and the West.
Head of Integrity Authority denies misconduct allegations
Ferenc Biró, President of Hungary’s Integrity Authority, has denied allegations of misuse of funds and abuse of office, 444 reports. Biro stated that he has no intention of resigning from his position. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Biró claimed the accusations were baseless and suggested that the investigation into his activities was 'politically motivated'.
"My wife was indeed using my vehicle for things such as going to the grocery store," Biró said, addressing one of the central claims against him. He added that his wife’s occasional use of his service vehicle was aligned with the Authority's internal regulations, which allow family members of senior officials to access official vehicles.
The allegations come after investigators from the Central Chief Prosecutor's Office of Investigation searched both the Integrity Authority’s offices and Biró’s personal property. While admitting that his home had been searched, Biró dismissed the operation as 'unnecessary'. Biró implied that the investigation was politically motivated.