Babiš: The project of the bureaucratic quarter continues, negotiations with Hřib cannot take place

Ústí nad Labem - The project of the administrative district in Prague's Letňany will continue, said Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) during his visit to the Ústí Region today. However, he does not intend to negotiate further with Prague Mayor Zdeněk Hřib (Pirates), but will send a letter to Prague councilors instead. According to Babiš, one gains only psychological trauma from talks with Hřib. Following Tuesday's meeting with the Prime Minister, the Mayor stated that Prague would not receive anything from the state due to the planned administrative district in Letňany, which Babiš rejected today.

"The mayor spoke untruths. I reiterate that I will publish all letters and inform all councilors so that they are acquainted with our offer," Babiš stated today. According to him, the state's offer will benefit Prague residents because the establishment of the administrative district will free up apartments and buildings that can serve as museums.

"I will reach out to the councilors, and let Prague resolve it. We will continue with the project and see if the current leadership of the magistrate will address it or if we will wait for the next one, but it makes no sense for me to negotiate with the mayor anymore, one cannot negotiate with him because such negotiations lead to significant psychological trauma," added the Prime Minister.

Babiš and Hřib discussed the possible establishment of an administrative district near the C metro line terminus in Letňany on Tuesday. The magistrate demanded that the state contribute to the completion of the northeastern part of the Prague ring road and the internal ring road in exchange for the land, and build a new hospital for 8.5 billion, where a larger part of the Bulovka Hospital would relocate.

"I explained to the mayor that Prague does not need any new hospital. We asked all hospital directors, Prague is over-dimensioned, but it needs a trauma center," said the Prime Minister today. He added that the Road and Motorway Directorate (ŘSD) is paying for the outer ring of Prague, and the mayor has a written offer that the state will pay for the internal ring of the capital city, through a PPP tender, which is a form of cooperation between the private and public sectors. "And of course, we would also cover the agreement with the investor," the Prime Minister stated.

The government considers Letňany the most suitable option because it can accommodate up to 10,000 employees, and the metropolitan plan allows for the construction of administrative buildings there. The government office also argues the good transport accessibility to the terminal of the C metro line.