Pirates at the head of the metropolis? They prefer experiments instead of improving their quality of life
15.04.2022 9:14 | Conversation
“The Pirates’ approach is still the same. Instead of improving the quality of life of Praguers, they prefer experiments of all kinds, which significantly worsen the quality of life. “Construction is needed and years of pointing the developers is unfortunately a well-established Prague narrative. The developer must not be an insult, “he says in an interview with ParlamentníListy.cz.
Prague, as the Czech capital, has a number of problems. Which do you personally consider the most burning?
There are really a lot of topics that bother Prague. The visible problem is the traffic situation in the metropolis, certainly also the housing issue, insufficient capacity in medical facilities, especially district and pediatricians, especially housing construction, population growth, especially young families with children. I do not want to rely on security in the metropolis, but based on a global comparison, Prague is not in a bad light, we are among the safe metropolises, which, however, may not be true for a long time in connection with the migration wave. Unfortunately, this situation will have consequences for security, and I certainly would not want to underestimate it.
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The most inflected topic is the coordination of transport constructions in Prague, which gives drivers a lot of worries. Where do you think the mistake happened?
I see the reason for the traffic problems in the insufficient communication between the individual city districts, and TSK and ŘSD do not communicate with them either. Communication between the capital and the Central Bohemian Region is also almost nil. If we want to avoid traffic complications, then we must involve all participants at the table and make repairs conceptually and in a coordinated way. Recently, the situation is very sad, citizens have in fact lost confidence in solving the traffic situation and this trend needs to be reversed, offering a positive solution. Not that sitting behind the wheel would be a nightmare for every Praguer.
Mayor Hřib explains the complications in transport, saying that the Pirates took over the municipality with a huge investment debt and it was just necessary to finally start repairing. What do you say to this argument?
It is an objective truth that after the departure of Pavel Bém there was a certain stagnation of investments. Several factors contributed to this. On the one hand, a certain demonization of city policy, on the other hand, the staffing of the mayor. Bém’s successors did not achieve his political erudition, managerial skills, but they also changed frequently. The political stability so much needed for a long-term solution was gone. It is good to admit that the city management lost its concept, vision and desire to work after 2010. Road repair is a necessity, of course, but it must not be a “hurry action” that will cripple the entire metropolis at once! The Pirates’ approach is still the same. Instead of improving the quality of life of Praguers, they prefer experiments of all kinds, which significantly worsen the quality of life.
Prague has also become a center for coping with the refugee crisis associated with the war in Ukraine. How do you think the Prague City Council managed this agenda? And does Prague have a chance to accommodate such a large number of refugees?
The evaluation is premature, the great burden lies in the city districts. With the admirable commitment of mainly ordinary employees of the authorities, it seems that the situation is under control, but as I say, only time will tell.
The unavailability of housing has become a major problem in recent years. Prague is a long-term premium in this. In your opinion, has the coalition managed to end this problem at least in part? What approach would Tricolor take in this regard?
Certainly the elimination of bureaucracy and regulation in the field of construction, in the end Prague as a region has a legislative initiative given by law. But it’s also about setting priorities and options. Construction is needed and years of finger-pointing developers is unfortunately a well-established Prague narrative. The developer must not be swearing.
Prague was also affected by the outflow of foreign tourists, which was the result of measures against the covid-19. In your opinion, should the municipality be involved in helping entrepreneurs in the field of tourism? If so, what way would you promote it?
Not only covid, but also the current situation in Ukraine. The possibility is many, such as reducing the prices of front gardens, but also focusing on the presentation of the city abroad. Prague is an interesting destination, the largest monument reserve in the world. We must not forget that twice in history it was the most important city in Europe, during the reign of Emperor Charles IV. and Rudolf II. You won’t find so many monuments in such a small space right away. Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Classicism, Rococo, but also world-famous Cubism… Take the uniqueness of Gočár’s buildings with phenomenal Art Nouveau traces, especially the Municipal House, which in 1912 was the most modern Art Nouveau building in Europe. Prague has something to present and must increase the demand for tourism, with a little skill and dexterity it will succeed.
You have become the new chairman of the Prague Tricolor. For what purpose did you choose this feature?
Tricolor is a conservative, right-wing party. Its advantage is the intelligibility and stability of attitudes, and the Prague Tricolor in particular has many members with great potential and experience. We need to use this so that we can return the metropolis to the face and hallmark of a safe big city, in which it will not only live well, but I will return to the forefront of the popularity of foreign tourists.
What is the process planned by Tricolor for this year’s municipal elections? Will you be forming single or coalition candidates? Who will be your closest allies?
Of course, we are looking for partners with similar intentions, views, but also a solution to the situation in the metropolis. However, negotiations are still ongoing and they are premature and unprofessional to speculate in any way.
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author: Karel Výborný