The Chamber did not complete the approval of the building amendment after the dispute following Havlíček's speech

Prague – The Chamber of Deputies today again failed to complete the approval of the controversial coalition building amendment, which its creators claim will accelerate and simplify the approval of constructions. The opposition was outraged by the statement of Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlíček, who accused them of destroying a similar building law adopted under the previous government of Andrej Babiš (both ANO) during their government term in the last election period. The third act of the final round of parliamentary debate on the building amendment awaits the Chamber on Friday.

"What you have wreaked here over the last few years will go down in history," Havlíček declared towards the opposition, reminding former government parties of the issues with digitization of the building permit process during the then and later dismissed Minister for Regional Development Ivan Bartoš (Pirates). "The collective struggle of the Pirates, but also the entire five-party coalition for a better tomorrow ended, as always, when collectivists attempt to build a better future," Havlíček said. This prompted a wave of dissenting reactions from opposition representatives, who generally branded the current proposal as a monstrosity, and moreover, presented in a dilettante manner.

According to the chairwoman of the Pirate Club, Olga Richterová, Havlíček is obviously losing his nerves, and according to Michal Kučera (TOP 09), he delivered a pre-election speech. "Your arrogance and insolence really knows no bounds," added Christian Democrat Marek Výborný. Kučera hopes that the building amendment will not harm Czech construction more than it currently seems, but according to Výborný, the Czech Republic is heading into trouble with its building permit process.

"We are correcting decades of outdated construction processes," Havlíček said in contrast. According to him, the amendment is based on a law drafted by the former Minister for Regional Development and now ANO MEP Klára Dostálová, which underwent a review process and was previously named the law of the year. "I criticize you little because you totally destroyed it," he stated. The opposition is surprised that the coalition submitted the amendment as a parliamentary proposal, additionally wanting to adjust it with an amendment. However, according to Havlíček, there was no time to spend another year on endless discussions, and according to him, the proposal was also co-created by professional public.

"We have fulfilled our next promise, which was to accelerate construction," claimed Havlíček, who believes that the acceleration of construction will eventually lead to pressure to reduce prices. "The era that allowed for delays, harassment, and extortion is over," he added.

ODS MP Ivan Adamec reiterated that the Civic Democrats will not obstruct and will allow the approval of the amendment. "It is not a simple document, the form will have its consequences, but I hope they will not be so fatal," he stated. STAN MP Lukáš Vlček and then Kučera proposed returning the proposal to a second reading for further adjustments.

The opposition warns especially about the impending collapse of the building permit process. They are concerned that officials from the current municipal building offices will be unwilling to transition to state administration. Critics claim that the proposal is written for large developers and threatens the protection of the public interest and the environment.

The deputies started discussing the building amendment last Friday. The final round has so far roughly filled about 4.5 hours. In the regular debate, which has not yet begun, 15 deputies wanted to speak.