Czech building law overhaul criticised by regional officials

Regional planning heads in the South Moravia region say the new building law, currently under review by the Czech Parliament and slated to take effect in mid‑2024, was drafted without consulting the officials who will implement it. Jana Janíková, head of the spatial planning department, complained that the Ministry of Regional Development has not responded to repeated inquiries for over five months.

She quoted, "We offer cooperation, we ask questions, but nobody from the ministry communicates with us," and added that many local officials are uncertain about their future roles, fearing job losses as a central construction office is introduced. The ministry's spokesperson, Veronika Lukášová, described the appointed regional coordinators as the ministry’s “extended hand” for data collection and communication, noting they need not possess legal expertise. Janíková argued the coordinators often do not understand the draft, stating, "It turned out that they do not understand the amendment substantively." Critics also point to a lack of economic impact assessment and unclear drafting, raising concerns that the law may not simplify construction procedures as promised.