Mayor András Pikó would repeat the “campaign based on lies” in Józsefváros in 2019, and as he is getting more and more desperate, he is not afraid to use tools that push two hundred families into uncertainty – pointed out the Fidesz faction leader, former mayor of Józsefváros. Máté Kocsis called on Piko to
do not state untruths regarding the development of the National Public Service University (NKE) and stop harassing the residents without ground.
He emphasized that the claim of the mayor of Józsefváros that the municipality was hit “like a bolt from the blue” that the development of the NKE is taking place with the involvement of additional district properties is not true. He drew attention to the fact that the Ludovika campus development plan was formulated 12 years ago, former mayor Sára Botond informed András Pikó regarding this ongoing case in 2019, when he handed over his office, and the new representative body also addressed the intention in several proposals. According to the faction leader of Fidesz
it is a false claim that the draft law submitted to the Parliament does not provide a guarantee for those tenants who do not accept the replacement apartments, and it is also not true that it is not possible to solve the replacement of such a quantity of apartments in Budapest.
He also mentioned that according to the plans of the local government led by András Pikó, HUF 9 billion would be spent on the renovation of two houses in the same area, by selling these properties and other empty plots of land, replenishing the district’s assets. He added: it was also revealed at a board meeting that the purpose of the program is not for the evicted residents to move back into the renovated apartments.
– On the other hand, the state does not take the real estate, but pays compensation and buys what the municipality wanted to sell anyway according to its own program – explained Máté Kocsis. According to him
András Pikó was “horrified” by this situation because, contrary to his promise, he might not organize the real estate management of the district,
therefore, it cannot now provide replacement housing for those whose legal relationship is unsettled, those who are in arrears in fees, or those who use apartments without legal title. It is not the state’s responsibility that such people live in those apartments, but the responsibility of the Józsefváros municipality and András Pikó personally, he declared.
The leader of the Fidesz faction announced that he will submit amendment proposals to the bill – in consultation with State Secretary Balázs Hankó – with the initiative that the regulations for the residential properties affected by the expropriation only enter into force following two months, so all deadlines will be delayed by that much.
He also initiates that the municipality has the opportunity to offer a replacement apartment not until October 31 this year, but until January 31, 2025.
He justified the latter amendment by saying that András Pikó will lose the municipal elections on June 9, but will remain in office until October, and “it is obvious that he will use all administrative means to prevent” the safe accommodation of the residents.
The government stands by the residents
The Secretary of State responsible for higher education, innovation, vocational training and adult education of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation assessed that the matter is being deliberately created hysteria.
No one, no one ends up on the streets, the government does not allow anyone to end up on the streets unjustly
Balázs Hankó stated.
Regarding the state expropriation of residential properties in Józsefváros, the state secretary emphasized: the relevant legislation guarantees a triple guarantee for the protection of families, since the municipality must provide replacement housing, and if it is unable to do so, then the Hungarian state must offer replacement housing in the area of the capital, taking into account the level of comfort, the floor area, the technical condition and everything that guarantees that the people living there can move forward.
– If the tenant does not accept the offered replacement apartment, he will receive financial compensation, and until the replacement apartment is offered by the municipality or the state, the termination of the rental relationship cannot even be considered – he added.