The Serbian government greenlights controversial development plan connected to former President Trump

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This debated property deal spearheaded by President Trump's son-in-law has triggered protests

Serbia's parliament has passed a bill that clears the path for a contentious development project overseen by former President Trump's family member Jared Kushner in Serbia's capital city.

The business entity Affinity Partners has sought to develop a high-end hotel and housing complex on the site of the previous Yugoslav Army central command.

The ruined building, which was struck by North Atlantic Treaty Organization troops in 1999 amid its campaign to halt Serbia's armed forces operation in Kosovo, holds significant value to certain groups who view it as a reminder and emblem of continuing resistance to the international coalition.

The Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who has pursued strong ties with the former president, has backed the proposal in the face of public opposition and legal objections.

In the past year, the Serbian authorities revoked the property of its conservation designation and approved a 99-year rental agreement with Kushner's company, which had set out plans for a half-billion dollar construction.

The determination provoked public gatherings and initiated an investigation into whether a national official had falsified papers employed during the procedure to change the structure's designation.

Through a conversation recently, President Aleksandar Vucic defended the initiative, saying "it's essential to transcend the legacy from 1999".

He added: "We are ready to build stronger connections with the United States – I believe that is exceptionally important for this country."

The halted approval procedure reached a climax on Friday when Vucic's faction – which has a majority in the assembly – moved forward with a specific ballot on preparing the area and succeeded.

Dissenting politicians have called the ruling against the constitution, notably Aleksandar Jovanovic, who described it as a "crime", and stated the landmark would be exchanged with "casinos and Jacuzzis".

Meanwhile, progressive representative Marinika Tepic remarked the administration was jeopardizing the state's heritage "to appease Trump".

The passage of the legislation has additionally been questioned by heritage professionals, and arrives after an anti-corruption group, an integrity institution, voiced concerns about publicly-endorsed initiatives.

Per local press reports before his maiden presidential campaign, the former president earlier considered building a hotel in Belgrade.

Last March, Kushner informed journalists he was uninformed of his relative's reported previous consideration.

The determination to clear the way for the project arrives as Vucic's government seeks to sustain positive connections with both Washington and the Russian Federation.

The country has been influenced by the two the former president's trade measures and sanctions on the Russian Federation's interests in the nation, including on its single oil-refinery, the primarily Moscow-controlled Nafna Industrika Srbije (NIS).

Emily Brewer
Emily Brewer

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