Parliament adopts Lex Specialis allowing demolition of historic landmark

The law was adopted following a heated debate in which opposition MPs recalled the importance of the General Staff building as a modernist landmark. The building was bombed by NATO air forces in 1999 and much of it has not been reconstructed. International Organizations such as Europa Nostra have expressed opposition to alleged plans to hand the complex over to a member of the Trump family to turn into a hotel.

The debate included heated exchanges and allegations against its author architect Nikola Dobrovic who designed the complex during Communist rule after WW 2.

The draft law was submitted by the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). It says that the ensuing project is of general importance and instructs all public officials to take all measures to make sure it is realized on time, including property expropriation. The law includes a provision guaranteeing the speedy issuing of permits for the project which will be financed from the budget and other sources.