Prague institutes new regulations for public tenders

The City of Prague has adopted new regulations for holding public tenders, putting the City Council in charge of tenders worth more than six million crowns. According to the new rules, municipal departmental directors will only be able to announce tenders up to that amount, and companies without clear ownership structures will be excluded from participation. Until now, departmental directors could announce tenders of up to 20 million crowns. The changes are the result of a new anti-corruption strategy passed by the council in June and will apply not only to City Hall but also to the companies owned by the local government, including the transit company, the congress centre and the Municipal House. A new and stricter code of conduct for city councillors is also being prepared.