Czech Transport Minister Antonín Prachař (ANO) has halted the planning process for the Dunaj-Odra-Labe canal, angering President Miloš Zeman who has been a long-time supporter of the project. Prachař recently canceled the tender for the project’s feasibility study. Zeman claims that the study was part of the coalition agreement. Prachař argues that the project, expected to cost at least CZK 250bn, needs international consensus before it can continue. However, neighboring countries have shown no interest in the project nor has Brussels. In fact, the project has been deleted from EU maps, meaning that EU funds will not be made available. Zeman hoped the Czech Republic would only have to foot CZK 45bn, while the rest would be covered by EU funds.
