The National Technical Library (NTK) in Prague 6 was the first large public building to be erected in the Czech capital in almost 20 years. The critically acclaimed new library, which opened in 2009, should be an object of pride for the city. Yet it is also the cause of some embarrassment — a Supreme Audit Office (NKÚ) inspection into the realization of the project has drawn damning conclusions.

The Czech politicians and authorities have systematically failed to address serious allegations of corruption, Supreme Audit Office (NKÚ) vice president Miloslav Kala said in an interview. The solution is not to further analyze the situation but rather to implement anti-corruption policies long under discussion — including extending the NKÚ’s powers, he says.