<MMR wants to accelerate the expropriation process, the proposal will be discussed by the government on Monday>

Prague – The Ministry of Regional Development (MMR) wants to speed up the expropriation process during infrastructure construction. It proposes to incorporate a special provision for expropriation from the 2009 law on accelerating the construction of transport, water, and energy infrastructure into the new expropriation law. The legislative intent of the expropriation law will be discussed by the government on Monday.

"The main goal of the legislative intent is to speed up the expropriation process, specifically by reducing the duration of expropriation proceedings, decreasing the number and length of court proceedings, and facilitating the commencement of constructions that depend on expropriation processes," stated the MMR in the submission report.

The ministry also wants to ensure that it is not possible to push for a unilateral enforcement of the interests of the expropriators, who represent the interests of society, at the expense of the owners. "At the same time, owners should not be allowed to thwart, unduly prolong, or obstruct the construction of projects that have societal significance," the ministry further stated.

According to it, the aim of the legislative intent is also to increase legal certainty regarding compensation for expropriation and to enhance motivation for reaching agreements on acquiring rights. "Among the changes included in the legislative intent are the expansion of the subject matter of expropriation, the transfer of costs for second expert opinions from expropriators to expropriation authorities, and the adjustment of the jurisdiction of the expropriation authority depending on the outcome of the recodification of construction law," MMR added.

The new construction law was confirmed by the House on Tuesday when it overruled the Senate's veto. The government expects it to lead to faster construction proceedings and adherence to deadlines. The law has been in preparation for several years, and MMR, which presented it, considers it fundamental. Opponents warn that it will distance authorities from citizens and complicate construction proceedings. The law has already been signed by President Miloš Zeman.