Hedgehog sees no reason for his dismissal from office

Prague - Former director of the National Library Vlastimil Ježek sees no reason for his removal from the position of director; he believes it is still possible to proceed with the construction of the new NK building. He will not withdraw his candidacy for the Senate for KDU-ČSL. He stated this in a press release available to ČTK. Ježek was dismissed on Tuesday by Minister of Culture Václav Jehlička (KDU-ČSL). The reason is the problems concerning the planned construction of the new National Library building based on the design by architect Jan Kaplický.
    Ježek stated that he has found a solution to the biggest problem of constructing the new NK building - the land for the new library. "I do not know of any arguments that would exclude the possibility of continuing with the construction of the new NK building. I am also unaware of any specific doubts and financial risks," Ježek stated. The architectural competition was said to have been announced in accordance with the law and was declared with the consent of the Ministry of Culture.
    The KDU-ČSL chairpersons in the districts of Prague 9 and 14, where Ježek is running for the Senate, informed ČTK that they continue to support him. Therefore, Ježek has decided to launch his election campaign. Some members of the People's Party disagree with Jehlička's decision. For instance, KDU-ČSL MP Michaela Šojdrová distanced herself from the minister's decision.
    The management of the National Library has been entrusted to the current director of the Memorial of National Literature Pavel Hazuka.
    According to the ministry's analyses, Jehlička stated that the possibility of continuing preparations for the construction of Kaplický's "octopus" is excluded. "It is certain that construction will never begin at the declared dates and locations," the minister said on Tuesday. There are also doubts regarding the validity of the competition for the design of the new building, which poses serious financial risks for the state.
    Around the new building of the National Library, a year and a half after the announcement of the results of the international architectural competition, there are many problems. The way the competition was launched is under criticism and was allegedly in violation of Czech law. It is pointed out that the winner, with the jury's approval, violated the competition rules, and that the library did not secure the land for the construction. Besides the minister, Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek has also criticized the preparations for the library's construction.
    Ježek was in the position of director of the National Library since the autumn of 2004, during which time he has sought the construction of a new building. A significant and criticized step he took was the sale of St. Michael's Church in Prague's Old Town to his long-term and controversial tenant in 2005.