The third amendment is aimed at preventing the delay of expropriation of property when the owner contests the price in court.

Legal changes will limit the swapping of municipal for private property, it emerged after  parliament adopted three bills of amendments to the Municipal Property Act on first reading.

Swaps will be done only on the initiative of municipalities for the purpose of implementing infrastructural or investment projects. According to the second bill, municipal property will be sold only by public auction, except when property is liquidated.

The change of ownership from public to private or vice versa will have to be approved by two-thirds of the municipal advisers. Currently, only a simple majority is required.

The third amendment is aimed at preventing the delay of expropriation of property when the owner contests the price in court.