Karacsony: Govt 'taking away' streets from city council without consultation

The government has "taken away" entire streets from the city council in addition to squares "without consultation", Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony said on Friday, referring to a government decree issued overnight. "They will then be passed over to the 5th district where property utilisation is usually described as 'the Rogan model'..." Karacsony said in reference to Antal Rogan, former mayor of the district who now heads the prime minister's cabinet office. Under an amended government decree, the management of seventeen public spaces has been transferred from the Budapest metropolitan council, which is run by the national opposition, to the ruling Fidesz-led 5th district council.