(ANSA-AFP) - BUDAPEST, NOV 7 - Hungarian Prime Minister
Viktor Orban will host dozens of European leaders in a modern
football stadium in Budapest from Thursday, in contrast to the
storied castles and palaces where such gatherings often take
place. Hungary -- which currently holds the European Union's
rotating presidency -- will host the European Political
Community (EPC) summit on Thursday, followed by an informal EU
leaders' meeting on Friday. Orban collectively dubbed this
week's meetings the "biggest diplomatic event" in Hungarian
history, but they come as relations with fellow partners are
increasingly strained. Budapest's Puskas Arena was chosen as the
venue as it is considered the crown jewel of a nationwide
stadium-building boom initiated by the football-loving premier
after his return to power in 2010. Orban has spared no expense
in developing the central European country's football
infrastructure, much to the chagrin of opposition politicians,
who argue taxpayers' money could have been better spent on
education or health care. Named after legendary
Hungarian-Spanish football player Ferenc Puskas of the fabled
"Magical Magyars" team of the 1950s, the arena was meant to
signal a budding revival in once-powerful Hungary's fortunes.
After opening in 2019, the stadium was at first barely used due
to the Covid pandemic. But during the Euro 2020, the
68,000-capacity arena got its moment to shine, becoming the only
tournament venue without a spectator limit. (ANSA-AFP).
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