Developers: Communication with Bartoš was unfortunate, he underestimated the digitalization process

Prague – Communication with Ivan Bartoš (Pirates) was, according to the Association of Developers, unfortunate; his tenure as Minister for Regional Development cannot be positively assessed. Bartoš underestimated the process of digitization and did not listen to experts, which led to a dysfunctional system of building permits, Zdeněk Soudný stated on behalf of the association in response to a query from ČTK. Due to Bartoš’s inability to successfully manage the digitization of the building process, Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced today that he would propose his dismissal.

"Although (Bartoš) promised an amendment to the building law that would speed up and simplify the processes, the result is ambiguous and can be called a wasted hope," Soudný stated. According to him, the number of stamps has not decreased, the process has not been simplified, and there are not fewer authorities either.

Expert groups, according to Soudný, urged for timely postponement and completion of the systems, but Bartoš did not listen. "For Minister Bartoš, the result is his dismissal; for building authorities, cities and municipalities, investors, developers, builders, architects, and many others, it is a dysfunctional system that paralyzes the Czech economy," he added.

According to the association, it is now important to adopt legislative measures that will prevent further legal uncertainty and then complete the digitization of building proceedings, which, according to Soudný, will take several months.

The digitization of building proceedings went into effect at the beginning of July this year. However, its functioning has been strongly criticized from the outset, not only by officials working with it but also by builders and designers. Both opposition and coalition politicians criticized Minister Bartoš for the problematic start of the digitization of building proceedings, and the opposition attempted to push a call in the Chamber to resign due to problems with the digitization. However, Bartoš stated that he does not plan to leave his ministerial position.

After the Pirates' failure in the recent regional and senatorial elections, Bartoš, along with the entire narrow leadership of the Pirates, announced his resignation from the party's leadership. Today, Prime Minister Fiala announced that he would propose to President Petr Pavel the dismissal of Bartoš from the position of Vice Prime Minister for Digitization and Minister for Regional Development by the end of September. Starting Wednesday, a team led by Minister of Transport Martin Kupka (ODS) will take over digitization responsibilities.

Fiala stated that he is satisfied with the work of other Pirate ministers and does not consider his decision as a termination of the coalition agreement. He is asking the Pirates to present their candidate for a new Minister for Regional Development who can manage the position effectively.