Bartoš has until the end of August to fix the construction process, according to coalition MPs

Publisher
ČTK
04.08.2024 22:55

Prague – Minister for Regional Development Ivan Bartoš (Pirates) has until the end of August, according to coalition representatives, to rectify the mistakes in the digitized building permit system. Head of the TOP 09 MPs Jan Jakob stated today in the Partie Plus program on CNN Prima News that if the system is not perfect by the end of summer, he expects Bartoš to take personal responsibility. Representatives from the opposition movements ANO and Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) have called for Bartoš's resignation. Bartoš recently rejected the notion of resigning in a Friday program of Czech Television Události komentáře. In his statement today, he did not directly respond to inquiries regarding calls for his resignation.

The system started functioning at the beginning of July, but after a month, it has been plagued by problems criticized by authorities, professional associations, and construction companies. In recent days, Bartoš has defended the system. He also rejected that the ministry has not communicated, and in an extensive post on platform X, he addressed specific comments from a critical letter from the Platform for a Healthy Building Act.

Jakob emphasized in the CNN Prima News program that a change in the building permit process was necessary and that all political parties agreed on this. Once the system is fully functional, the building permit process will be simplified and expedited, he added. According to him, Bartoš repeatedly reassured the TOP 09 MPs that the system would be alright. He was also aware of his responsibilities. "If the system does not function (by the end of August) as it should, I expect him to take personal responsibility," he stated.

The Deputy Chairman of the coalition club of Mayors and Independents (STAN) Petr Letocha firmly believes that the system will be fully operational by the end of August. "If not, then it is up to the Pirate Party to take some political responsibility. Whether Minister Bartoš or someone else will lead the repair, I would wait until September," he said. However, he considers the primary discussion to be about how to ensure the system functions.

The Deputy of ANO Patrik Nacher criticized that the system did not undergo proper testing. "Such a robust thing cannot be tested in live operation," he stated. According to him, the ministry should have backed down and postponed the start of digitization to the beginning of next year. The SPD would like to convene an extraordinary meeting of the Chamber on the topic. However, Nacher believes there is no point in convening it just to allow politicians to admonish Bartoš, but rather when the goal would be to implement quick amendments for repair.

The head of the SPD MPs Radim Fiala believes that the digitization of building permits is the "biggest mess" in state IT systems since 1989. He called for Bartoš's resignation on CNN Prima News. "It is his political responsibility; he did not program the system, but he is the one who delegated tasks. If there is someone management-savvy in the coalition who can ensure it, that would be a solution," he told coalition politicians.

Bartoš wrote to ČTK today that the digitization of processes and the new law represent a significant and challenging change that has been called for for years, but due to its complexity, no one had the courage to pursue it. "Without this, there would never have been a chance for improvement, even if it does not come immediately and there are difficulties in the initial phase, which we do not deny; on the contrary, we are actively addressing them," he stated.

According to Bartoš, the Ministry of Regional Development is in daily contact with professional organizations, representatives of local governments, and authorities. "We take their feedback very seriously, rectify the main deficiencies as quickly as possible, and strive to incorporate comments into the further development of information systems," he stated. He reminded that since July 1, users have submitted over 4200 applications through the builder's portal. Building authorities and affected bodies have begun to work with more than half of them. "Of the total 1900 proceedings, 200 have been completed, which include land division and consolidation or approvals," he stated.

Bartoš has until the end of August to fix the construction process, according to coalition MPs

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