Zaorálek rejects the plan to create a government district in Letňany

Prague – Minister of Culture Lubomír Zaorálek (ČSSD) rejects Prime Minister Andrej Babiš's (ANO) plan to establish a government quarter in Prague's Letňany. In the Czech Television program Questions of Václav Moravec today, he stated that funds are lacking in other areas. He intends to raise the issue at a government meeting. Babiš has discussed the establishment of the government quarter several times with Prague Mayor Zdeněk Hřib (Pirates), but they have not yet approached an agreement.

"It is scandalous to build a government quarter when there is no money elsewhere," Zaorálek said. He also noted that he has no information that Prague has plans for developing themed quarters.

Babiš proposed the project for the creation of a government quarter, claiming it would allow for reduced state costs and better utilization of palaces in the city center, where state administration bodies are currently located. The Prime Minister considers Letňany the most suitable option because it could accommodate up to 10,000 employees, and the metropolitan plan allows for the construction of administrative buildings there. The government office also argues for good transport accessibility to the final stops of metro line C.

The government plan faced resistance from the Prague city hall last autumn, which owns some of the land on which Babiš wishes to build the quarter. However, the city hall later indicated that it would be willing to negotiate the release of municipal land in the event of concessions from the state. According to Hřib, the state must complete the outer ring road, contribute to the inner ring road for the capital city, and build a hospital to initiate discussions on constructing the bureaucratic quarter.

Babiš stated that the state would finance the outer ring road. He suggested that a PPP project format, involving cooperation with a private investor, would be feasible for financing the inner ring road. According to Hřib, however, the state does not have the capability to carry out PPP projects. Instead of building a hospital, Babiš proposed creating a trauma center. The latest talks between Babiš and Hřib regarding the government quarter this week fell through, and the Prime Minister subsequently stated that he does not intend to negotiate further with the mayor but will reach out to Prague councilors instead.