Budapest Mayor bids farewell to US Ambassador, highlights fight for democracy and rule of law

Those in Hungary who consistently stand up in defence of the values of democracy, the rule of law and human rights and against corruption are “rewarded in the form of a political campaign of revenge”, the mayor of Budapest said on Wednesday.

In a post on Facebook, Gergely Karácsony said he had received outgoing US Ambassador David Pressman on a farewell visit in his mayoral office. Karácsony said that Pressman had told him at his inaugural visit three years ago that he would most likely be the new target and bearer of the bulk of “propagandists’ attacks” that he as mayor had to face before.

The ambassador, Karácsony said, had been right in his presumption and he then “fulfilled this undertaking as well”. “And I am to thank the ambassador not only for freeing us from a part of those propaganda attacks but also for his consistent … representation of democracy, the rule of law and human rights as well as efforts to fight corruption,” Karácsony said. “David Pressman is a friend and admirer of Hungary,” he added. The mayor presented to the ambassador a painting by contemporary artist drMáriás and a book about Budapest by András Török.

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