This Italian region now has Europe’s highest Tibetan bridge
It’s not for the faint-hearted
The new mayor of the Hungarian capital promises a greener and socially just city
Opposition candidate Gergely Karácsony, 44, who entered the race for a mayor of Budapest on a platform of a greener and socially just city, won the October 13, 2019 municipal elections with more than 50% of the vote. He not only defeated incumbent mayor and Fidesz favourite István Tarlós but did it in defiance of an image-smearing media campaign and a threat to face some withdrawal of federal funds in case he won.
Karácsony said in the interview with The Guardian that he would like to cooperate closely with the liberal mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski, and other central European counterparts in order to offset the confrontational attitude towards Brussels adopted by Hungarian and Polish authorities in recent years.
Apparently Gergely has made good use of both his theoretical background as a political scientist specializing in electoral behaviour, public opinion and election campaigns and his political practice – he was an MP and mayor of one of Budapest’s districts.
Ever keeping a keen eye on social imbalances, he has outlined his priorities during his first year in office: strengthening the social safety net for low-income families, diverting more public money to homeless shelters and improving public transport. He has also promised to increase Budapest’s green areas and combat city pollution (he cycles to work to set an example).
Gergely says his political philosophy is all about compromise and building consensus, but that he will never backtrack on his principles and is ready for a fight when necessary.
One such battle opportunity may prove to be the future of the Central European University, founded by PM Orbán’s arch-enemy - billionaire financier and philanthropist George Soros. The university has been forced to move some of its courses to Vienna after it was denied accreditation to issue US degrees in Hungary. The new mayor however has asked the institution to keep as many courses as possible in Budapest and wants a new scientific academy centered on research and innovation to be set up at CEU.
What are the reasons for that and are there any possible solutions for that problem?
Possibly making it the only legislature in the world with a religious temple on-site
It’s not for the faint-hearted
Presenting the next chapter in the Dutch capital’s ‘Stay Away’ campaign aimed at rowdy tourists
The City says this has become a necessity due to the increasing number of incidents involving these vehicles
That way you can notify a canal lock keeper to open the gates so the animals can swim through
The organizers had been considering different Parisian spots, but always with the idea of the flame being visible to the people
Electricity production in that Eastern European country will not release direct CO2 emissions anymore
Possibly making it the only legislature in the world with a religious temple on-site
This initiative is not just about making books more accessible – it has larger ambitions in its sights
We owe the unusual cultural icon to this country in Europe
The country’s capital has been a pioneer in crafting policy and initiatives to improve coexistence between people and pets
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team