The Serbian government endorses controversial property project linked to former President Trump
The Serbian legislative body has passed a law that sets the stage for a contentious property project spearheaded by former President Trump's family member Jared Kushner in Serbia's capital city.
His firm Affinity Partners has aimed to construct a luxury hotel and apartment development on the premises of the ex Yugoslav Army main office.
The ruined building, which was struck by NATO military units in 1999 throughout its intervention to end Serbia's armed forces operation in Kosovo, holds significant value to some who consider it as a memorial and emblem of continuing resistance to the international coalition.
Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic, who has maintained close connections with Trump, has supported the plans in the face of public opposition and constitutional challenges.
In the past year, the national administration stripped the property of its conservation classification and authorized a extended lease with Kushner's firm, which had presented designs for a $500m construction.
The ruling triggered demonstrations and resulted in an inquiry into whether a national official had manipulated records used during the process to alter the building's designation.
In a discussion in June, Head of State Aleksandar Vucic defended the plan, saying "it's essential to overcome the legacy from 1999".
He continued: "We are ready to develop better ties with the United States – I think that is extremely crucial for this nation."
The stalled development process culminated last week when the president's party – which maintains a controlling in the legislature – pushed ahead with a specific vote on clearing the site and succeeded.
Dissenting politicians have described the ruling unconstitutional, among them Aleksandar Jovanovic, who characterized it as a "violation", and declared the landmark would be exchanged with "gambling venues and hot tubs".
Simultaneously, progressive MP Marinika Tepic remarked the authorities was jeopardizing the country's history "to satisfy Trump".
The approval of the law has furthermore been criticised by architectural professionals, and follows after a watchdog organization, an anti-corruption institution, raised concerns about publicly-endorsed projects.
According to local media reports before his maiden presidential bid, the former president in the past contemplated developing a hotel in Belgrade.
Last March, Kushner stated media outlets he was unfamiliar of his relative's claimed past involvement.
The resolution to enable progress for the development comes as the president's government seeks to sustain favorable connections with the two America and Russia.
The nation has been influenced by the two Trump's trade measures and restrictions on the Russian Federation's investments in the nation, encompassing on its sole petroleum facility, the majority Russian Federation-held Nafna Industrika Srbije (NIS).