ANO MP Martin Kolovratník studied transportation, worked in radio, and has been in politics for quite some time. He believes that once a person reaches a certain milestone in one field, it's only natural to seek new challenges. As he says himself – every new path moved him forward and gave him valuable experience he now draws on.
You specialize in transport. Where has Czechia made major progress, and where do we still lag behind? What should the priorities be in the next election term?
The most significant progress, without a doubt, has been in accelerating the preparation of transport infrastructure projects. Just a few years ago, launching a major infrastructure project in Czechia was a painfully slow process. I’m originally from Eastern Bohemia, so I’ll use an example close to home – the D11 highway and the well-known case of Mrs. Havránková. Long-running disputes over land acquisitions blocked the project for years. Today, thanks to legislative changes during the last election term, that’s a closed chapter. We introduced measures like the so-called interim decision – inspired by Polish practice – allowing construction to begin before administrative proceedings are fully finalized. The land acquisition process has also been significantly simplified. The result? Czechia today really does resemble one big construction site – and that’s a good thing. But even though we’ve removed the biggest legislative obstacles, there’s still room for improvement. I see great potential in the area of competition law – particularly in speeding up and simplifying public tenders. Key priorities for the next term should include completing the highway network, modernizing the railway system, and preparing and building high-speed rail lines – which will take mobility to the next level. Equally essential is a functional, practical, and realistic construction act – not a bureaucratic bogeyman, but a real tool for infrastructure development. And last but not least – though it may not be a popular topic – we’ll need to initiate a debate about limiting deliberate obstruction by certain environmental groups, whose main goal often isn’t nature protection, but systematically delaying and complicating vital public investments. Protecting nature is important, but it must be balanced – it cannot be allowed to block the development of the entire country.
Are you a supporter of e-mobility and the Green Deal in general?
Yes, I support e-mobility – but I also try to keep my feet on the ground. I feel that the old rule still applies: all things in moderation. I’m not convinced that a blanket, rapid shift to electric vehicles is appropriate for our conditions. We have different geographic and energy circumstances than, say, Scandinavia, which benefits from cheap, stable renewable energy. For us, the transition will be more expensive and more complicated. As for the Green Deal – I consider it a disappointment. Yes, I support environmental protection, but any measures must be logical, feasible, and sustainable. In its current form, the Green Deal amounts – in my view – to the de facto obliteration of European industry. That’s unacceptable. We either need to radically rework it, or abandon it as a European project.
You have a background in journalism. What’s your take on the current election campaign?
Honestly – I’m concerned. From the government parties, we’re seeing a very negative and at times even aggressive campaign, especially targeting the opposition and the ANO movement in particular. I understand that if the governing coalition has nothing to show for its four years in power, it reaches for strong emotional tactics. But you can’t run a campaign based purely on attacks. A typical example: billboards placing our party leader Andrej Babiš next to Putin – to me, that’s crossing a line. This kind of rhetoric only polarizes society further and fuels public frustration. I personally prefer a factual discussion focused on policy and results – and that’s what our campaign should be about.
You’re the lead ANO candidate in Pardubice Region for the autumn elections. What are your main campaign topics for the region?
I’m truly glad that over the years, working with my colleagues, we’ve managed to push through a number of projects that bring real benefits to Pardubice Region. We unlocked the construction of the key D35 highway, which will significantly ease traffic in towns and villages throughout the region. A major modernization of the Pardubice rail hub is underway, worth several billion crowns. We’re renovating the main train station and have built a new pedestrian bridge connecting it to the Dukla housing estate. These are concrete improvements that impact people’s daily lives. Looking ahead, I want to continue pushing for legislative changes to further accelerate the preparation of critical transport projects – which are absolutely vital for our region. Another key issue is accessible and efficient public transport – modernizing regional rail connections, improving county bus lines, and ensuring service even in smaller municipalities. A major recurring issue I hear about from citizens is the poor coordination of transport between regions. Many people commute for work or school to neighboring regions, but the connections often don’t line up. In practice, this means a train or bus stops just over the county line, and passengers face a long wait for the next one. That’s absurd – and we need a systemic fix. People deserve reliable, well-connected transport without artificial regional barriers.
You’ve been an MP for twelve years. Has politics changed during that time?
Politics has changed a lot in those twelve years. It used to be more about substantive debate – today, unfortunately, it’s often dominated by media battles and quick soundbites on social media. Emotions have grown, while mutual respect between political camps has declined. Of course, there were conflicts back then too – but we were more often able to find consensus across the spectrum. That’s harder now. On the other hand, the pace of work has improved thanks to digitalization and greater public pressure. A politician today can’t afford to be out of touch with reality. And that’s a good thing – even if the environment is more cutthroat, it forces us to be more professional and better prepared.
CV BOX
Martin Kolovratník (born April 11, 1975, in Pardubice) is an MP for the ANO 2011 movement and a member of the Pardubice Municipal Assembly.
He graduated from the Jan Perner Faculty of Transport at the University of Pardubice. From 2000 to 2001, he worked as deputy director for internal and external communications and PR at VCES, a.s. He later served as a marketing advisor at Czech Telecom, and in 2001 he founded the Pardubice branch of Czech Radio, where he remained director until September 2013.
He has been an MP since 2013 and joined the Pardubice Municipal Assembly a year later. From 2020 to 2024, he also served on the Pardubice Regional Assembly.
Kolovratník has long been active in the nonprofit sector. In 2008, he co-founded the public-benefit organization SKP-CENTRUM. He has been a member and president of the Pardubice Rotary Club and is involved as a board member of the Smetana’s Litomyšl Foundation and the Jan Perner Institute, which focuses on transport development and technical education.
He is married and has two sons.
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