Bohuslav Svoboda: The Dosimeter case is the responsibility of the Pirates and Prague itself
The mayoral candidate for the TOGETHER coalition, ODS MP Bohuslav Svoboda would like to see the construction of the Prague ring road more significantly in the next period. And he would also like to see the construction of a new Philharmonic building begin. In an interview with the daily FORUM 24, he names the biggest problems in Prague and the effects of the Dosimeter case.
What is Prague’s biggest problem?
The most is always terribly difficult because there are so many of them and they are all serious. If we had to say it anyway, it’s definitely traffic, and that includes parking. And another serious issue is housing, when there is a shortage of approx. 30,000 apartments in Prague. And because very little is being built and slowly, apartment prices have gone up so much under the Pirates’ rule that young people have no chance not only to buy an apartment, but also to pay rent. This is the second problem, which belongs to the serious ones from my point of view. They have to start working on them now.
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So let’s get to the traffic. Polls so far show that there is quite a lot that you could become mayor after the election. What will be the first steps you will take in this matter?
We’ve been saying this for a very long time. Traffic solutions in Prague are not possible without a ring road. This is a clear fact. We see it in other big cities. Munich has three circuits. Twenty years ago, this was a no-go area. Today it is not a problem to drive around the city and no one has to enter it. I also like to use London, where the ring roads make people’s journey significantly longer, but still don’t go into the centre. This is because it is faster and more economical for them. As a result, London blocked the center with such a high entrance fee that even the wealthiest people don’t want to pay it. Work on circuits is a matter of purchasing land. This has to be started even before everything is approved, as this can significantly delay construction.
And housing?
Apartment owners need to be supported so that long-term rentals are economically interesting for them. And the second thing is that building permits are granted more quickly. It can’t be five years. Construction will grow immediately, the price will go down.
These things will have an effect only after a long time. What should be the immediate, quick steps?
Speaking of transportation, a quick step that can be taken and we would see results immediately is the establishment of a transportation coordinator to improve the planning of traffic construction and closures. It is not possible for the patience of Prague drivers to be tested by 80 closures at once, as was the case last year, for example. We proposed the establishment of this function already at the beginning of the election period, but Adam Scheinherr, councilor for transport (Praha Sobě), rejected it and stated that he himself is responsible for the city’s investments in transport. Of course, I’m glad that he took political responsibility for the traffic collapse and how the construction works are coordinated, but that won’t help those drivers who are in a queue and can’t get to work or home much.
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If the ring road is built, will you be in favor of some form of restriction on the entry of cars into the center?
In that case, we can start talking about it and define which parts it will be. The traffic load is greatest in Prague 2 and Prague 1, this has a negative effect not only in terms of smog, but also some historic buildings are at risk. It is about determining the conditions, for example if it should be an entrance fee or other legislative regulation. That is an open question. Some sections really should be excluded from transit traffic, the fantastic historic core we have should be protected there. But when it is said that cars are still abused, it is not true. People often use them to go to work, to the doctor, to do business, and sometimes it is the only solution for them. If we reach this point, we must have only a limited choice. Freedom cannot be restricted unless there are absolutely fundamental reasons.
In Prague, there has also been a passionate debate about cycle lanes for a long time.
you know cycle lane should be the term used for something where a bike can actually go. This is a cycle lane from Podolí to the embankment and beyond Prague. Space reserved for bikes. If the cycle lane intersects with any traffic, it is dangerous. What is painted in Prague does not guarantee the possibility of use or safety. Cycle lanes should therefore surround Prague, allowing their use to be safe, but in the central part it should take a different form, which will give equal rights to pedestrians, cyclists, mass and car traffic. It is not possible to fundamentally restrict others to another mode of transport. In addition, it is an injury, for example an injury from a scooter.
There’s also the problem of parking on the sidewalk, right?
Scooters are problematic. have a helmet. And it is not possible for more people to continue riding the scooter. The use of the sidewalk is a matter of great debate, in my opinion it does not belong there, it is a means of transport that belongs on the road and should follow traffic regulations, not aggression as in some cases.
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How will the Dosimeter case affect this year’s elections?
It will definitely affect them. It is a big corruption case and a problem that, in my opinion, falls on the backs of both the STAN movement, the Pirates and Prahy Sobě – that is, those who had the task of managing and controlling the Transport Company. They are directly responsible for it. Moreover, these are the parties that should have fought corruption and transparency on their shield, and the result of this is the biggest corruption case in the history of Prague, concerning the Transport Company.
So far, however, it seems that it mainly affects STAN.
This is clear because a person one of the accused is an influential representative of STAN. The movement must explain it to the people and enter the elections in such a form that the candidates are not associated with it. It’s something that almost every party goes through in some form over time. The question is how which side will deal with it.
How do you view the fact that non-public information is purposefully leaked to the media in this case?
It is big problem and any leaks should not happen in a democratic society. We see this not only here, it is due to the pressure of the media, which is desperate to find something that attracts viewers or readers. I get it, it’s their job. But what I don’t understand is how Prague tried to use the leaks from the files for themselves from the beginning, which also knowingly spread them. This came to me, a political matador, already at the edge of the election battle.
Energy prices are probably the biggest problem. How can the capital help people?
The capital city has very favorable options for conceptually helping the people of Prague. Even so, I am convinced that targeted help to those most in need is possible and Prague should do so.
How is it that a new philharmonic hall will start to be built in the next election period?
This is my big dream, which we started during the ODS government. The fact that the proposal was selected is one of the few positive steps taken by the Prague leadership. I am glad that it was possible to choose from exceptionally high-quality projects. It is something that is very important for Prague. The Rudolfinum is still beautiful, but often no longer meets the conditions. Prague is a city for which music is very important. It is an expensive thing, but I would be very happy if it so-called kicks. Once it starts, it will continue.
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After the elections, will the Mayors be your most natural partner in creating coalitions?
I am glad that we already have a coalition and are running together with TOP 09 and KDU-ČSL. STAN is the natural closest partner when it comes to program penetrations. They were happy to agree on such a coalition after the elections, which will copy the government one.
What if the YES movement looked like this?
So far, the YES movement does not appear like this.
When you become mayor, will you remain an MP?
Time will tell. Being mayor and deputy has both its advantages and disadvantages. If I am mayor, together with my colleagues we will evaluate what we will carry.