Petr Michal: Prague is stagnating without a new government. It needs to build.

The Spolu coalition for Prague, consisting of ODS, TOP 09, and KDU-ČSL, made a conciliatory move after the New Year towards the currently ruling Pirates, Mayors, and Independents. They offered them a majority in the council, even though “PirStan” won one mandate less than the center-right alliance in the September elections. After negotiations last week, an agreement was reached on the form of the coalition contract. This may finally unblock the situation in the capital after many long months. And Prague urgently needs this.

The Prague Public Transport Company especially needs a clear vision and program for further development. Since this company is 100% city-owned, its management is entirely dependent on the political will arising from elections. Incidentally, it is worth considering whether this key and strategic company should be run more like a commercial corporation and whether decisions should be based more on expert recommendations than on political will. However, for the past four months, the transport company’s management has been uncertain whether it will continue in its current form after the new city council takes office. Meanwhile, major progress is needed, particularly in the construction of Metro Line D and new tram lines.

Transportation is probably the most important issue the new council will have to address overall. There have already been enough conflicts over how many new bike lanes should be added to roads and sidewalks; in Prague, the focus must be on starting construction to complete the City, Prague, and Agglomeration ring roads. The capital city desperately needs all of these projects. And these are not just constructions for Prague residents — people from all over the country will benefit from them.

Prague must also prepare as quickly as possible for the construction of high-speed rail lines, which should begin soon and will connect the metropolis to various parts of the world. The city needs to start preparing new transit hubs and associated public transport connections, including Park and Ride parking facilities.

Prague must also urgently work to become an attractive city for entrepreneurs and businesses, including startups, not only within the Czech Republic but throughout Central Europe. While we argue here about positions and have been unable to form even a city government for several months, other capitals are developing dynamically, and Prague is being left behind. We need to attract companies engaged in digitalization, digital transformation, automation, and robotics, as well as startups focused on high added value. The city must make it as easy as possible for entrepreneurs to grow and support them in doing so.

New technologies must also begin to be integrated into the operation of city companies, from the public transport company to Prague Services. Prague must better utilize the potential of working with the data resources it has, both on its own and through its city companies, as well as data available from the state level or the private sector. Systematic use of open data can significantly contribute not only to better strategic and operational decision-making by key city bodies but also to the development of business and other civic activities.

All these plans are currently waiting in drawers for new managers of each agenda to take charge and start defining goals and directions for how Prague should develop over the next four years. Now is no time to block agreement — it’s time to finally come together.

Author: Petr Michal

Published on E15.cz, February 6, 2023