Prague – Today, the Chamber of Deputies overruled the Senate and approved an amendment to the building code, which fundamentally changes the organization of construction administration. A key component of the bill is primarily the introduction of a centralized system of state construction authorities. The proposal, which the Senate rejected in August, now goes to the President of the Republic for signature. Its adoption has provoked sharp criticism from some senators, who have pointed out possible impacts on municipalities, the public interest, and the functioning of building permitting processes.

According to opponents, the amendment may strengthen the position of large development companies and weaken the influence of local governments in decisions about construction. Critics also argue that the proposed changes may create opportunities for corruption risks and favor certain investment projects. Some senators therefore described the bill as a "slander" and demanded its revision. The government, on the other hand, advocates centralization as a way to unify building permitting processes and improve the efficiency of authorities. Supporters of the amendment argue that the current organization of construction administration is complex and, in some cases, leads to lengthy delays in granting building permits.

According to the proponents, transferring part of the workload to a unified state structure should bring a more transparent system and greater control. A fundamental change is the separation of the performance of construction administration from the direct influence of municipalities. This issue has become one of the main subjects of political dispute. Municipalities and their representatives fear that they will lose some of their ability to influence the development of their territory and respond to local conditions. Critics also point out that centralization itself may not mean faster decision-making and may, on the contrary, lead to the creation of a larger bureaucracy. The debate about the building code continues even after today's vote.

While the governing coalition emphasizes the need for reform and unification of rules, the opposition and some senators point out the risks associated with limiting the powers of local governments and potentially favoring large investors. Now, further action will depend on the President of the Republic, who will receive the amendment for signature. His decision will be the final step before the changes can come into effect. However, the debate about the form of construction administration is likely to continue, as the issue of the relationship between the state, municipalities, citizens, and developers remains one of the sensitive topics in Czech public administration.