"Today, the governing majority has shamelessly expropriated four public spaces owned by the capital, among them Vorosmarty Square and Szechenyi Istvan Square, then given them to the Fidesz-led District V local council," Karácsony said, referring to legislation approved in parliament earlier in the day.
"We are under no illusions, but the Budapest Metropolitan Council will in any case turn to the Constitutional Court over disregard for autonomy and sue for compensation due for expropriation according to the Constitution," he added.
Karácsony said the Finance Ministry, Justice Ministry, and Interior Ministry had raised "serious constitutional concerns" ahead of the vote.
In the reasoning for the legislation, lawmakers had argued that the measure, undertaken for the public benefit, would allow the uniform upkeep and further development of the area – popular with pedestrians and tourists – "more efficiently than at present".
All of the public areas affected by the legislation are in District V.
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