Despite the fact that stricter regulations governing Czech public tenders — aimed at stamping out corrupt practices — came into force on April 1, the old rules will continue to influence “the game” for some time yet. What’s more, it appears the new regulations are not completely resistant to manipulation. Czech Position tracks what went on with public tenders just before the April 1 deadline.

The ‘warping of Motorway D47’ and allegations of shoddy construction work by Eurovia remain a sensitive issue. After flinging mud via the media, the Czech Road and Motorway Directorate and Transport Ministry sat down with the company and now agree a specialist commission should be created, and the ŘSD will look for foreign specialists, probably in Germany. Civil engineering specialist Jiří Konečný looks at the state of the nation’s transport infrastructure.

Police detectives from a specialized anti-corruption unit have filed a criminal complaint against former Central Group CEO Aleš Novotný and two former managers of the leading Czech residential real estate developer for tax evasion in the amount of Kč 180 million. Novotný was taken into custody in November 2010 following a raid on Central Group’s headquarters in Prague. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.

While still Transport Minister Vít Bárta (Public Affairs – VV) launched a public attack on the construction giant Skanska, claiming it was responsible for defects on stretches of motorway, primarily the D11 near Hradec Kralové, and demanded it pay for the repairs. Bárta embellished his campaign with notices reading “Skanska built here” placed on the sections of road. Skanska responded by suing the Road and Motorway Directorate (ŘSD) for tarnishing its reputation.