"Corruption and the pillaging of citizens": Belgrade's New Year tree to be world's most expensive

Ahead of the budget debate, the issue of the cost of the New Year tree installed in Republic Square has been raised in the Belgrade City Assembly.

Balsa Bozovic, head of the group councilors from the opposition DS party, told reporters ahead of the session on Thusday that "one meter of the tree cost EUR 5,500," adding that "such a tree was three times cheaper in, say, Rome," and describing the situation as "corruption and the pillaging of citizens."

Belgrade Mayor Sinisa Mali quickly reacted to say he was "himself surprised" to learn about the price tag, adding that the contract with the supplier would be terminated, "while the penalties will not be paid by citizens."

All this comes after the whistleblowing website Pistaljka reported earlier in the day that the holiday tree - called in Serbia the New Year, rather than Christmas tree - is among the world's...