Prime Minister Viktor Orbán came face-to-face this week with the mayor who is said to be the Socialist party's prime ministerial candidate for the next election.
PM Orbán met with Szeged Mayor László Botka to sign a cooperation agreement as part of the Modern Cities Program. PM Orbán said that “Szeged has all the capabilities needed to become an outstanding regional center”.
The cooperation agreemen between Szeged and the government includes development projects that would stand the test of time. The realization of these is irrespective of “how political winds develop in Hungary, the prime minister said.
The prime pinister noted that negotiations between the Cabinet and an opposition-governed municipality are rare.
PM Orbán said that his wish for Szeged is for it to become a city that is as successful as its history deserves it to be. “Szeged may not be the largest city in the region, which includes part of three countries, but it has the best and most beautiful university; and although it may not have the strongest economy, it has at least succeeded in preserving its highest quality industries," he explained.
The Prime Minister estimated the total cost of the development projects announced at 50 billion HUF. However, he added, if the growth of the Hungarian economy continues – which could exceed 4 percent this year – several projects that have so far only been discussed hypothetically could also be successfully realized. This would mean that the total value could reach 70 billion HUF.
The projects to be undertaken by the agreement include the construction of the M47 dual carriageway, the construction of a rail and road bridge across the River Tisza, the development of the suburban railway line in the direction of Makó, technical developments at Szeged Airport, the development of a 200-hectare industrial park, and much more.