Czech Chamber approves two-year delay for State digitization amid opposition criticism

The Czech Chamber of Deputies has approved a proposal to postpone the full implementation of state digitization by two years, pushing the deadline to 2027. The government coalition’s motion, citing the need for more preparation time for authorities, has sparked criticism from opposition parties. The delay pertains to the Act on the Right of Citizens to Digital Services—the so-called Digital Constitution—originally scheduled to take effect in February 2025. The proposal will now head to the Senate for consideration before requiring the president’s signature.

Opposition parties, including ANO and the Pirates, have strongly opposed the delay. The Pirates, who were part of the government coalition until the fall, advocated for a one-year postponement instead. Meanwhile, ANO leaders labeled the delay as evidence of government inefficiency in delivering a project deemed critical.

ANO and SPD representatives have also raised concerns about the government’s approach, criticizing its decision to bundle the delay into amendments to the Electronic Communications Act, which was initially focused on telemarketing regulations. They argue that this legislative strategy undermines transparency. Both parties have indicated they may challenge the delay in the Constitutional Court.

Deputy Prime Minister Marian Jurečka (KDU-ČSL) defended the two-year postponement, citing risks of legal disputes if the original deadline was maintained. The proposal also includes a provision allowing authorities to opt out of specific digital tasks deemed inefficient or wasteful. According to Jurečka, some digital services listed in the catalog are rarely used, with certain agendas not utilized even once per year.

The Chamber also addressed other significant amendments tied to the Electronic Communications Act. These include:
• Telecommunications Disputes: The Czech Telecommunication Office will now handle all client disputes related to operator payments, previously split between the courts and the office.
• Telemarketing Regulations: The government initially sought a blanket ban on marketing via voice communication unless explicitly agreed upon by the recipient. However, this provision was removed following discussions in the Economic Committee.
• Signal Infrastructure: Amendments to the Nature and Landscape Protection Act aim to facilitate the construction of mobile signal antenna masts, particularly in remote or protected areas. Disputes remain over the environmental impact, with the Ministry of the Environment opposing the proposal due to potential harm to sensitive regions like plateaus and peat bogs.

In addition to the digitization delay, the Chamber approved measures to enhance protections for bank clients against fraud. ODS MP Jiří Havránek successfully introduced a proposal to improve cooperation between mobile network operators and financial institutions. The initiative aims to share information on fraudulent activities, minimizing financial losses and improving customer security.

The delays and legislative changes underscore the challenges of balancing public interest, technological advancements, and environmental concerns. While Industry Minister Lukáš Vlček (STAN) emphasized the importance of closing “white spots” in rural data coverage to combat depopulation, critics argue that environmental protection and timely digitization efforts should not be sidelined.

As the Senate deliberates the proposals, these measures will likely continue to be a point of contention in Czech politics.

Source: CTK
Photo: Deputy Prime Minister Marian Jurečka (KDU-ČSL)