The head of the Chamber of Architects believes that Schwarz Bařtipánová is a quality choice for the MMR

Prague – The chairman of the Czech Chamber of Architects (ČKA) Jan Kasl believes that Zuzana Schwarz Bařtipánová (ANO) is a quality choice to lead the Ministry for Regional Development (MMR). She appeared to him as an experienced local politician, Kasl said today to ČTK. Schwarz Bařtipánová was nominated for the head of MMR by the chairman of the ANO movement, Andrej Babiš, who was authorized by President Petr Pavel to form a government. Pavel will begin informal consultations with the ANO, SPD, and Motorists' nominees for ministers on Friday.

Kasl met with Schwarz Bařtipánová once at a presentation of ANO's plans for amendments to the Building Act. "Local experience usually helps to manage high politics, especially regarding local and regional development. I believe that cooperation with the ČKA and chambers in general will be natural and mutually beneficial for her," the chamber's chairman stated.

At the MMR, Schwarz Bařtipánová worked from 2000 to 2007 in the Department of Urban Planning. She subsequently worked in the non-profit and private sectors as a project manager in the areas of human resources development, education, and regional development. She first ran for the Bíliny council in 2006 for SNK ED but gained a mandate only in 2015 as an independent candidate for ANO. She was the mayor of Bíliny for seven years, resigning from the post this autumn when she was elected to the Chamber of Deputies.

Under Schwarz Bařtipánová's leadership, ANO intends to change the Building Act and establish a central state building authority. According to the nominee, this could start functioning on January 1, 2028. Major changes related to the reform of the Building Act could come into effect a year earlier.

Before the elections, ANO representatives stated that the Building Act should be changed according to a proposal from 2021, which, for example, established the Supreme Building Authority. However, according to Schwarz Bařtipánová, a new state building authority will not be created in the future; instead, the structure of the Transport and Energy Building Authority (DESÚ) will be transformed, changing its name to the Office for Spatial Development.

Before the elections, ANO also wanted to abolish the MMR, but ultimately decided to keep the ministry. The deputy chairman of ANO and nominee for the position of Minister of Industry and Trade, Karel Havlíček, previously stated that abolishing the ministry could jeopardize the planned changes to the Building Act, the reform of urban planning, and the ensuring of the digitization of building proceedings. However, according to him, ANO would like to create a Ministry of Economy in the future that would merge several departments, including the MMR.