Benedek Jávor (Budapest): There are 6 main issues: "centralisation and lack of multi-level governance; lack of meaningful partnership; lack of financing channels; lack of EU funds; political discrimination in the allocation of EU funds," and one specific to Budapest: the decommitment of EU funds.

André Sobczak (Eurocities): To meet the needs of citizens and SMEs, central governments and regional authorities are not enough. There is also a need for local authorities, as they are the most trusted institutions and those closest to citizens.

Kieran McCarthy (CoR): "What is the role of the CoR if the central government is calling the shots?" What is the role on the ground if no actual decision can be made by municipal authorities? He expressed concern regarding the subsidiarity principle being undermined.

MEP Gabriella Gerzsényi reiterated the Parliament's stance on the issue: the Parliament finds the current MFF proposal problematic and calls for a strong inclusion of, and dedicated funding for, cities.

Former MEP Jan Olbrycht: "RFF is a typical crisis instrument, a temporary and extraordinary solution," not a permanent one. He also highlighted that the time to act is now, while everything is possible. Cities need dedicated funding and should be included.

György Nagyházi (Budapest): "The Hungarian government managed to hijack European funds to serve its own political economy, which is a very dysfunctional political economy aiming for political power generation."

Olga Müller (Budapest): Budapest makes up "almost 40% of Hungary's GDP", yet there is no true "functional urban area cooperation", and Budapest has never had a role as a "managing or intermediate authority".

Prof. Luděk Sýkora (Prague): While there is a large number of projects, there are only a "low proportion of local and regional government beneficiaries".

Hans Verdonk (City of Rotterdam): The example of Rotterdam shows "that if you do it together and bring all local and regional forces together, you can have a good programme and achieve the necessary results."

Massimo Allulli (ANCI): "The evidence is useful to represent the needs of local administration and needs."

Pia Laurila (European Commission - DG Regional and Urban Policy) discussed how the European Commission is taking action for European cities, and the Commission's long-term urban plans.

This is yet another #Turkish-style move in which the Hungarian government not only suppresses #fundamental #human #rights but also intimidates its #political opponents through #judicial means.

The mayor maintains that no rule was breached and the event was lawfully organized, asserting the charges have no legal grounds.

The Hungarian police recommended charging Mayor Gergely Karácsony with ”violation of the freedom of assembly law”, while Karácsony ensured the #freedom of #assembly for the #LGBTQI+ community in Hungary. If the prosecution decides to press charges, the mayor can face a court case.

The decision comes after a months-long investigation by the Hungarian police following the organization of the #Budapest #Pride march in June by the Municipality of Budapest.

Cities need to build #bridges, not to erect #walls: they need to show a new model for how a #city and #society can function, and how #public #services can operate.

Mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karácsony: Hungary is a #laboratory of how the Rule of Law can be dismantled, but also a laboratory for how the population can #resist this.