Addressing celebrations on the 150th anniversary of the zoo, Zoltán Balog said the government and Budapest Mayor István Tarlós have agreed that the controversial Liget project needs a commissioner for coordinating landscaping and gardening investments independently.

“Persányi’s professional past is a guarantee that this work will be completed to the highest standard,” Balog said.

A law passed by Hungarian parliament in 2013 declares the Liget project, which involves building a new museum complex in City Park next to Heroes’ Square, a priority state project.

But environmentalists have been protesting for months against the project they fear would ruin the popular public park.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.

MTI photo: Kovács Attila