An
artificial Christmas tree in the centre of Belgrade has been getting
more jeers than cheers this holiday season – given that its reported
price tag of €83,000 would make it one of the most expensive in the
world.
The 18m (59’) tree, decorated with 200 red plastic ornaments
and 40 candlewick red-gold ribbons, stands in the main pedestrian zone
in Serbia’s capital and has sparked a furious public reaction and
accusations of corruption.
“In the city budget for this and next year
there are a lot of scandalous things, and the Christmas tree is only
the tip of the iceberg,” Nikola Jovanovic, from the opposition People’s
Party, told Beta news agency.
He said the tree was just one example
of financial abuse by city authorities after the investigative website
Pistaljka revealed the cost of almost 10mn dinars (€83,000, $98,000).
Belgrade
Mayor Sinisa Mali, a close ally of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic,
initially refused to talk to reporters about the tree, but later said he
was going to cancel the contract – which Pistaljka reported had been
signed three days after the tree was installed.
“I was surprised with
the amount. We have been working completely transparently and publicly
for three and a half years. We did not hide anything,” Mali told
reporters.
The revelation about the tree’s cost has led to the public
prosecutor’s office launching a probe into the case but that hasn’t
quelled the outrage, with many mocking the price.
“Believe it or not:
the city of Belgrade paid whooping 83,000 EUR for its Christmas tree!!!
No, it does not boil eggs, it does not clean the house, and frankly it
looks like crap,” Marko Kmezic complained on Twitter.
“Such a tree would be a reason for stormy protests anywhere in a normal world,” Uros Stojiljkovic wrote on Facebook.
The
opposition Democratic Party (DS) also spoke out against the cost and
invited Belgraders to leave “wishes” worth €83,000 near the pricey tree.
“We want cheaper Christmas trees,” read one message.
“I want to visit Thailand,” someone else wrote, while another requested a “raincoat XL size for my dog”.
All of the messages had the hashtag #83000wishes.
The
tree was purchased from a company that has been renting New Year
lighting to the city of Belgrade for years for high prices, according to
local media reports.
The city authorities, controlled by the ruling
Serbian Progressive Party, have regularly been criticised for installing
the festive lighting in early autumn and leaving it on display until
February.
But in the end the Christmas tree jeers have produced a little bit of cheer.
The
company has agreed to cancel this year’s contract for the tree and said
it will donate the proceeds to Belgrade “to contribute to New Year
decorations for the capital”.
Pedestrians walk past the Christmas tree in central Belgrade that has sparked controversy as its price, u20ac83,000, makes it one of the most expensive in the world.