The Trump International Hotel proposed for the Serbian capital Belgrade was supposed to mark a new chapter in the country's modern history. It would take the place of one of the city's most arresting sights: the bomb-damaged, but still semi-functional, remains of the defence ministry complex, or Generalstab (General Staff) as it is otherwise known. However, a major obstacle stood in the way: Generalstab was listed as cultural heritage.
To circumvent this, the government sought to remove the complex from the register of protected buildings, but Culture Minister Nikola Selakovic is currently on trial for abuse of office, accused of manipulating documents related to this status. Prosecutors are pursuing a three-year prison sentence for Selakovic, although President Aleksandar Vucic has indicated he would pardon the minister if convicted.
Consequently, the prospects of a Trump International Hotel in Belgrade now appear grim. The project's very foundation was already shaky given the tense historical backdrop of U.S.-Serbia relations, particularly regarding NATO's air strikes in 1999 that left Generalstab in ruins. The Serbian population's reluctance towards the U.S. was elevated when a deal was struck between the government and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Global to redevelop Generalstab.
The uproar intensified when the hotel was announced as a centerpiece of this initiative. While Vucic insisted that overcoming the remnants of 1999 was vital for better relations with the U.S., public sentiment largely disagreed. Opposition grew from architects, military veterans, and student activists, citing the buildings as vital cultural and memorial sites.
Despite a push from the government to implement special legislation allowing the construction of the hotel, scrutiny from prosecutors regarding the removal of heritage protection led to legal actions against public officials, including Selakovic.
As legal issues mounted, Kushner's company eventually declared its withdrawal from the project, citing a commitment to unite rather than divide and out of respect for the Serbian citizens. Vucic expressed outrage at this 'shameful' prosecution, further complicating the political landscape regarding foreign investments in Serbia. With protesters rallying outside the courts and calling for accountability, the future of the Trump International Hotel seems far from certain, while Kushner shifts his focus to projects in Albania.
To circumvent this, the government sought to remove the complex from the register of protected buildings, but Culture Minister Nikola Selakovic is currently on trial for abuse of office, accused of manipulating documents related to this status. Prosecutors are pursuing a three-year prison sentence for Selakovic, although President Aleksandar Vucic has indicated he would pardon the minister if convicted.
Consequently, the prospects of a Trump International Hotel in Belgrade now appear grim. The project's very foundation was already shaky given the tense historical backdrop of U.S.-Serbia relations, particularly regarding NATO's air strikes in 1999 that left Generalstab in ruins. The Serbian population's reluctance towards the U.S. was elevated when a deal was struck between the government and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Global to redevelop Generalstab.
The uproar intensified when the hotel was announced as a centerpiece of this initiative. While Vucic insisted that overcoming the remnants of 1999 was vital for better relations with the U.S., public sentiment largely disagreed. Opposition grew from architects, military veterans, and student activists, citing the buildings as vital cultural and memorial sites.
Despite a push from the government to implement special legislation allowing the construction of the hotel, scrutiny from prosecutors regarding the removal of heritage protection led to legal actions against public officials, including Selakovic.
As legal issues mounted, Kushner's company eventually declared its withdrawal from the project, citing a commitment to unite rather than divide and out of respect for the Serbian citizens. Vucic expressed outrage at this 'shameful' prosecution, further complicating the political landscape regarding foreign investments in Serbia. With protesters rallying outside the courts and calling for accountability, the future of the Trump International Hotel seems far from certain, while Kushner shifts his focus to projects in Albania.
