Jan Čižinský: In the streets, I ask people for support, I will lead a positive campaign
What does the local group Prague say to itself about the election result?
We feel good about the result, there was a very good mood in our staff. It is a very good result for Prague and we perceive it only as good for the municipal elections for the year.
In Prague, most people voted for the Together coalition, in which your political opponents are. But Prague is closer to the Pirates who failed…
Praguers distinguish between the municipal and national levels, as evidenced by the figures for participation. They understand very well that these are completely different choices. Our electorate, Prague must not run for parliament, has naturally split up. I would like to remind you that we were elected by the people who nationally vote for the Together coalition, but also by those who, for example, also vote for YES. That policy is simply different from the national one.
Your coalition partner, TOP 09, has already indicated that it will join the ODS for the municipal elections. Isn’t that a threat to you?
I do not see it as a threat, but as an opportunity. What happened during the time of the ODS, that they were popular and unpopular city districts, we clearly canceled. Anyone who looks at our people at the municipality knows very well that they manage their responsibilities very professionally and moderate the requirements of the city districts. Whether it’s Pavel Vyhnánek on finances, Milena Johnová, Adam Scheinherr or Hanka Třeštíková.
With the current division of forces in the municipality, however, the alliance of ODS and TOP would no longer provide you with the majority of representatives…
It’s okay if they want to run Together or any other party. We started collecting signatures and it’s going very well. We talked to them in front of the schools and immediately asked us where they could sign it. It gives us hope for good development.
Well, just… You set up agitation stands right in front of the polling stations. Does that sound fair to you?
It’s okay and according to the law. People appreciate the fact that Prague is only a group that does not squint at the national policy and does not solve the national one through municipal policy. And he is only interested in Prague and Praguers. We are collecting signatures and will not exhaust any activity contributions at this time. We do not want 13 million crowns in the city budget, which we received for the last election period.
You have also earned criticism from your coalition partners. Do you think that you will want to meet with you again at the municipality?
We collect signatures where people go and where they are attuned to politics. I understand that when we see that we are succeeding in collecting, political competitors can be nervous. We have to work it out, if we don’t, we won’t run. The message of the current election is that social networks are one world, but personal encounters with people are the other world. And we prefer that. We have to collect 100,000 signatures, which in practice means addressing 300,000 Praguers, we will talk to us personally about what Prague is like and how we imagine that we want a modern city for everyone, where it can be enjoyed and where it will not run from. In front of the polling stations, we felt the support of the people.
How many signatures did you collect? Was it worth it at all?
The event was successful, we collected more than 10% of the required signatures. What was important is the atmosphere, people debated and supported us. Many of them stopped and debated the traffic situation with us. We were able to explain to them that when repairing an elevator, you have to go up the stairs. The situation is complicated, people chose us to work. In order to maintain the city when it is a hard-working maintenance man, at some point the movement around the house is more difficult, but then it is all the better. We have promised not to artificially delay road repairs and not to slow down due to the elections.
You end up as a Member of Parliament. Why didn’t you run?
I want to concentrate on Prague, it does not mean that I would not be willing to help against Babiš. I will run for mayor and I am already asking people for support on the streets. We will lead a positive campaign and we will try not to curse anyone. Imagine our vision and professionalism, we want a modern modern city that does not forget anyone. In the last election, we hold 55%. We will see what support we get.
And don’t you think that excavated Prague took the votes of the PirSTAN coalition before the elections?
I do not think so. Adam Scheinherr is a great manager and a great professional. The deadlines are coordinated by two professionals. As the Barrandov Bridge will be repaired, it was necessary for a number of additional repairs to take place this summer. If he hadn’t coordinated, the situation would have been completely catastrophic. With respect to the time people spent in the columns, this was the result of Mr. Krejča’s relatively careful coordination. It is a tax that the situation must worsen and the largest artery, the Barrandov Bridge, will gradually be repaired in strips.
And she didn’t postpone because of the election?
It postpones from one election to another of our predecessors. They postponed repairs until one bridge fell to them. Praguers can understand that. There are still some choices, we will not be responsible for postponing repairs. We don’t want another bridge to fall. My message is that the coordination was very careful. And even if the president or anyone else shouts something, he should look at it. Coordination was very careful. If it wasn’t, it would be much worse. The situation is bad, it will soon improve and the Barrandov Bridge will come next year.
Why didn’t you want to create the position of coordinator of transport constructions, as suggested by ODS and TOP 09 at the previous council?
We have a coordinator, it is Aleš Krejča, director of the department of roads and railways. He bears professional responsibility, political responsibility lies with his deputy. We don’t need another intermediary.
Will the capital’s relations with the government improve?
I look forward to it. With the people who deserve there, with acquaintances and we have good relations. There is great hope, the populist shout that Prague is rich will stop. The metropolis has saved money, but for metro D, but money is still not enough. Metro D sucks savings. The best transport in Prague and will be beneficial for the whole area, to the wider surroundings of Prague and the central Prague area.
Do you hope that the money for the construction will be found now?
I am convinced that this will not be delayed due to finances. I would like to remind you that Adam Scheinherr is criticized precisely because he prepares projects quickly and implements them quickly. Be so fast that it’s too much. This means that the preparation of circuits is a lengthy affair. The speed with which it is pushing is much higher than under previous governments. If I have to mention a policy that can speed it up, it is Adam.
What about your 3000 brave project? He somehow fit in, don’t you think?
The project was replaced by the two coalitions, which turned out well, I am satisfied with the outcome of the national situation. Although I emphasize that there is a lot to think about the environment and social peace. I hope that the governing coalition will not forget that.