Lidovci in Brno do not want to cut investments due to the coronavirus.

Brno - Brno should not seek savings in investments but in operating expenses. This was stated today by Mayor's Deputy Petr Hladík (KDU-ČSL) in response to a possible economic crisis due to the spreading disease covid-19. The city will discuss its steps within the coalition. The Christian Democrats will want to maintain all operational subsidies for sports as well. Brno has a approved budget of 16 billion crowns for this year.

The coronavirus pandemic will have global economic impacts. According to Hladík, it could lead to lower revenues for the city. "It could easily be a billion or a billion and a half. The situation will significantly affect the city of Brno, and we will have to look for savings. As KDU-ČSL, we don't want to look for savings in the investment side, but on the operational side," said Hladík.

Operating expenses include, for example, wages and contributions to contributory organizations, building operating costs, and other things. "The city should make investments so that the economy does not stop," Hladík said. According to him, investments are crucial for the city's future. "However, before the ground is broken, it takes three to six years for preparation, design, and permitting processes. When buying land, it can sometimes take even ten years. This phase is invisible from the citizen's perspective, but crucial for the city's future from the city's perspective," Hladík noted. The coalition of ODS, KDU-ČSL, Pirates, and ČSSD will discuss everything.

The Christian Democrats also do not want to interfere with the operational subsidies approved for sports, nearly 400 million crowns will be shared by hundreds of organizations and individuals from youth to elite athletes. Hladík would also like to continue preparations for sports investments. The city plans to build a new cycling oval, a multifunctional hall, or sports facilities in the Anthropos area.

In the Czech Republic, as of today, there are over 5,300 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection, and over 100 people have died. The covid-19 disease is spreading worldwide, where around 1.5 million people have been infected and nearly 90,000 people have died.