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KARÁCSONY: GREEN BUDAPEST AT STAKE IN ELECTIONS

 

At stake in the October 13 local elections is whether Budapest becomes a green city or political interests override that goal, left-liberal mayoral candidate Gergely Karácsony said, after endorsing a plan by environmental civil organisations entitled For a Green Budapest. Karácsony, the joint candidate of the Socialists, the Democratic Coalition, the Párbeszéd and the Liberal parties, said he was “proud” to be the first candidate to sign the document prepared by 23 civil organisations.
András Lukács of the green group Levegő Munkacsoport said the authors of the set of recommendations had “had enough” of politicians failing to keep promises made in election campaigns. He said the NGOs had prepared a “legally binding” document to be signed by mayoral candidates and candidates for district mayors and representatives. Should the signatories fail to make good on the pledges contained in the 25-point document, they could be held legally responsible, fined or forced to resign, Lukács said.