"Serbia's parliament has approved a special law to fast-track a planned property development in Belgrade by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, overriding local concerns about the project on the site of NATO's 1999 bombing. Legislators voted 130-40 on November 4 in favor of the law, backed by the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of President Aleksandar Vucic -- who has spoken enthusiastically of the plan, saying it will result in a "magnificent hotel.""
"The development, designed by architect Nikola Dobrovic, centered on a pair of jagged unoccupied modernist brick structures in the center of Belgrade, the former General Staff headquarters for the Yugoslav Army. The site was bombed by NATO jets in the spring of 1999 as part of a campaign to stop Serbian forces from attacking parts of Kosovo, which was still part of the country. Despite being bombed out, the buildings retained their protected status due to what activists said was their architectural significance. The new law overrides this by declaring the project a national priority, stating that "all procedures related to the implementation of the General Staff revitalization project are to be considered urgent," and "all state bodies and institutions are obliged to issue acts within their jurisdiction without delay.""
"Speaking during debate over the law, opposition parliamentary deputy Biljana Dordevic of the Green-Left Front said the provisions of the new law allow it to take effect the day after adoption. "I can imagine they'll start demolishing as soon as next week. Citizens will surely come and try to stop it. I can't imagine it otherwise," she said. Kushner's company, Affinity Partners, did not immediately comment on the ruling."
Serbia's parliament voted 130-40 to approve a special law fast-tracking a planned Belgrade property development by Jared Kushner, backed by the Serbian Progressive Party and President Aleksandar Vucic. The project is a $500 million hotel complex announced last year and designed by architect Nikola Dobrovic, focused on former General Staff headquarters that were bombed by NATO in 1999. The buildings retained protected status for their architectural significance, but the new law declares the revitalization a national priority and requires state bodies to act urgently. Opposition warned the law can take effect immediately and predicted imminent demolition and citizen protests. Kushner's company did not comment.
Read at RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
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