The Serbian government approves controversial property project associated with Trump
The Serbian parliament has approved a bill that paves the way for a disputed property venture spearheaded by US President Donald Trump's family member Jared Kushner in the capital.
The business entity Affinity Partners has planned to develop a high-end hospitality venue and residential project on the premises of the previous Yugoslav Army main office.
The destroyed edifice, which was bombed by Nato troops in 1999 throughout its operation to end the Serbian military actions in Kosovo, holds significant importance to many who view it as a memorial and representation of continuing objection to the military alliance.
Serbia's Head of State Aleksandar Vucic, who has sought strong connections with Trump, has supported the plans in the face of public opposition and constitutional disputes.
Last year, the national authorities stripped the building of its conservation designation and agreed a 99-year contract with the developer's company, which had proposed plans for a half-billion dollar project.
The decision provoked public gatherings and resulted in an inquiry into whether a Serbian government representative had falsified papers used in the process to change the property's classification.
During a conversation earlier this year, President Aleksandar Vucic supported the proposal, stating "it's crucial to transcend the weight from 1999".
He elaborated: "We are willing to establish stronger relations with the United States – I believe that is terribly significant for this country."
The stalled development process culminated on Friday when Vucic's political group – which has a controlling in the assembly – moved forward with a special ballot on developing the site and succeeded.
Rival representatives have labelled the outcome against the constitution, notably Aleksandar Jovanovic, who termed it as a "offense", and asserted the historic site would be replaced with "gambling venues and spas".
At the same time, liberal representative Marinika Tepic remarked the authorities was sacrificing the state's past "to appease the former president".
The passage of the law has additionally been challenged by architectural professionals, and comes subsequent to Transparency Serbia, an transparency body, expressed worries about government-supported developments.
According to Serbian press reports before his initial presidency campaign, the former president earlier considered constructing a hospitality property in Belgrade.
Last March, Kushner informed reporters he was not aware of his father-in-law's claimed previous involvement.
The resolution to pave the path for the development comes as the president's cabinet attempts to sustain favorable relations with the two the United States and Moscow.
The nation has been impacted by each of the former president's economic policies and sanctions on the Russian Federation's investments in the nation, encompassing on its sole oil-refinery, the mainly Russian Federation-held Nafna Industrika Srbije (NIS).