Every year hundreds and thousands of tonnes of dog droppings are dumped on the sidewalks of the Paris of the East, where the unaware population, and of course tourists, help carry the load on a guided trip on the soles of their shoes. The only true ally of the clean up process are the natural elements, when Mr. Rain and Mr. Wind pass through the city and wash the pavements and parks clean.

Demszky was reportedly leaving his post in Oct 2010, with “ambivalent” feelings (whatever that means). He boasts that Budapest has never progressed as much as it has during his tenure, the past 20 years.

Yet his rule is overshadowed by a record number of alleged scandals, corruption and money laundering. Demszky has also been unable to free himself from party politics during his tenure, experts argue. But who will stop Demszky from making another fast buck on what he will call his memoirs, perhaps one day the capital will learn the truth about where their millions in tax-payers money went to. Good luck Gabor and enjoy your “retirement” at your placid Budakeszi home (What the Mayor of Budapest doesn’t live in Budapest???)."

By Tamas S. Kiss, published on XpatLoop.com with the permission of BudapestReport.com