City Assembly votes to lodge objection to election rule changes

The resolution submitted at Wednesday’s session of the assembly by the capital’s mayor, Gergely Karacsony, was approved with 18 representatives in favour, 6 abstentions, while 3 Fidesz-Christian Democrat representatives boycotted the vote.

The resolution notes that the Venice Commission, a body advising the Council of Europe, has consistently maintained the standpoint that electoral systems must not be changed in the year to date of elections.

The assembly also approved with 18 votes in favour and 11 abstentions the capital’s borrowing limit of between 20 billion and 40 billion forints (EUR 52.8m-105.6m) for next year.

They also passed a proposal submitted by Karacsony for taxi service tasks to be taken over in full by the Budapest transport centre BKK as of Jan 1, 2024. The complex performance of taxi services is currently split between BKK and Budapest road maintenance company Budapest Kozut.

BKK said in a statement that the decision would make taxi service administration and regulations simpler and more transparent.