Local elections – Opposition candidate Karácsony: Building stadiums equals theft

The extensive construction of stadiums is equal to theft, Gergely Karácsony told a local election campaign event on Monday. Instead, taxpayers’ money should be spent on health care, he said.

Hundreds of billions of forints have been funnelled into sport construction projects in Budapest recently, the left-wing opposition parties’ mayoral candidate told a press conference on Monday. “And there is no end to it,” he said, referring to construction of an athletics hall in Csepel, as well as similar projects in other districts of the capital.

Speaking in front of the Groupama football stadium, Karácsony added that

the incumbent mayor, István Tarlós, felt more beholden to the interests of the central government that was intent of “building stadiums everywhere” than to those of Budapest residents.

The opposition has started a petition to stop stadium construction and “other reckless investments”, and turn the money towards improving health care.