Serbia's parliament has enacted a law that sets the stage for a controversial real estate venture spearheaded by former President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner in the capital.
The business entity Affinity Partners has aimed to build a high-end hotel and housing development on the location of the ex Yugoslav Army main office.
The ruined structure, which was bombed by Nato troops in 1999 during its intervention to end the Serbian armed forces campaign in Kosovo, holds emotional meaning to certain groups who view it as a reminder and representation of persistent resistance to the defense organization.
The Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who has maintained friendly ties with Trump, has endorsed the plans in the face of protests and constitutional disputes.
Previously, the national administration revoked the structure of its heritage status and agreed a extended lease with the developer's organization, which had set out blueprints for a $500m development.
The determination sparked public gatherings and initiated an probe into whether a national authority had falsified documentation utilized in the procedure to alter the structure's status.
During a discussion in June, President Aleksandar Vucic defended the proposal, saying "it's crucial to transcend the weight from 1999".
He continued: "We are willing to establish better relations with the America – I consider that is terribly significant for this state."
The halted development process culminated last week when the president's faction – which maintains a majority in parliament – proceeded with a specific ballot on preparing the location and succeeded.
Rival politicians have labelled the outcome illegal, among them Aleksandar Jovanovic, who termed it as a "crime", and stated the landmark would be exchanged with "gambling venues and hot tubs".
Meanwhile, liberal parliament member Marinika Tepic remarked the authorities was compromising the nation's past "to appease Trump".
The passage of the legislation has also been criticised by heritage specialists, and comes following an anti-corruption group, an transparency institution, voiced concerns about publicly-endorsed initiatives.
According to national press accounts prior to his maiden election campaign, Trump previously considered constructing a hospitality property in Belgrade.
Earlier this year, Kushner informed media outlets he was not aware of his father-in-law's reported previous interest.
The determination to pave the path for the development occurs as the president's cabinet aims to maintain favorable connections with each of America and Moscow.
Serbia has been influenced by the two Trump's tariffs and penalties on the Russian Federation's assets in the state, encompassing on its only petroleum facility, the primarily Moscow-controlled Nafna Industrika Srbije (NIS).
