Communists will decide on their stance regarding the construction law before the vote

Prague – The Communists will decide on their support for the new construction law only shortly before the vote in the Chamber of Deputies on the law, which was unanimously vetoed by the Senate. If the Chamber wants to override it, it will need at least 101 votes. The law created by the Ministry for Regional Development will not receive support, just as during the previous voting in the lower chamber, from the majority of the members of the governing Social Democracy party. Pavel Kováčik, the chairman of the KSČM parliamentary club, told journalists before the plenary session that Minister Klára Dostálová (for ANO) had explained to the club's members the decree that will expand the law and which should modify the criticized rules for daylighting residential rooms. Nevertheless, according to him, some KSČM MPs still have doubts.

The ČSSD parliamentary club, like in previous cases, will not support the law by a majority. "We are more on the side of the opposition here," said club leader Jan Chvojka. "We believe that it is not well-prepared, and we believe that it will not be approved by this Chamber," he added. Three Social Democrats voted for the law in the third reading; the club has 14 members. "This numerical ratio should be maintained today if we vote," Chvojka added. Besides the three Social Democrats, during the June parliamentary approval, the law only passed with votes from ANO and SPD.

The Communists are bothered by the fact that during the final vote, an amendment was passed which will allow residential rooms not to have direct lighting and ventilation, meaning windows. They asked the minister for a legal solution to this issue. The minister did not agree with this proposal during the vote. Leo Luzar, the vice-chairman of the KSČM club, previously labeled this new measure, among other things, as scandalous and a return to the Middle Ages. According to the ministry, the planned decree should establish requirements for buildings so that the lighting of their rooms with natural light is ensured.

The construction law has been in preparation for several years and its approval has been accompanied by disputes. The government hopes that it will primarily ensure adherence to deadlines, which should speed up the construction process. It was submitted to the Chamber in a way that would create the Supreme Building Office, but some offices would remain under municipalities, as is currently the case. However, the law passed in the Chamber in the version amended by the economic committee, whereby the entire state construction administration will move under the state. The Supreme Building Office should be established, along with regional building offices and individual territorial workplaces, similar to what is done with tax offices.

The transfer of offices under the state has become the target of criticism from the parliamentary opposition and senators. The Senate rejected the law with all present votes. Senators were mainly concerned about the transfer of building offices under the state and the centralization of construction administration under the Supreme Building Office. They also feared that in the event of this change being approved, the construction process would slow down.