A whole quarter could secede from Budapest: Residents cite neglected infrastructure

Residents of Csúcshegy, a district in Budapest’s Óbuda area, have initiated a signature collection campaign aiming to hold a referendum on seceding from the capital. The movement, led by the local civil organisation “Menedék a Csúcshegy Barátainak Egyesület” (Refuge for Friends of Csúcshegy Association), seeks to address longstanding infrastructural challenges and improve living conditions in the neighbourhood.

Background and grievances

Csúcshegy spans approximately one square kilometre and is characterised by a mix of holiday homes, bungalows, and family houses. Despite its proximity to central Budapest, the area lacks essential public utilities. Notably, the entire district relies on a single public well for drinking water, as there is no established water or sewage system, Telex writes in its report. Residents are unable to independently construct these utilities due to unregulated public areas. This infrastructural neglect has persisted for decades, prompting the community to seek drastic measures.

The district’s roads are a combination of narrow asphalt lanes and pothole-ridden dirt paths. While neighbouring developments, such as the recently built Harsánylejtő residential park, have been equipped with modern utilities, Csúcshegy remains underserved. This disparity has fuelled residents’ frustrations and their desire for administrative autonomy.

The secession initiative

The signature drive commenced on 15 March, with the goal of collecting signatures from at least half of the district’s nearly 1,000 residents. If successful, this would pave the way for a local referendum on secession. Should the referendum favour independence, the proposal would then require approval from the Budapest General Assembly and the Hungarian Parliament to be enacted.