The Ministry of Finance in December 2008 launched a multi-billion crown eco-tender seeking a company or consortium to undertake the cleanup of all toxic environmental sites in the Czech Republic with the stated aim of accelerating the process, and set the tender’s maximum value at a cool Kč 115 billion.
The ministry later categorically excluded PPF Advisory out of the “super-tender,” leaving Geosan Group, Marius Pedersen Engineering and Environmental Services (owned by the J&T group) as the short-listed finalists. For the most part, the decision was not welcomed in the ranks of the center-right Civic Democrat Party (ODS) – the largest of the three parties in the governing coalition party — while PPF Advisory filed a complaint over its exclusion with the Office for the Protection for Competition (ÚOHS).
It now appears that the chances of the PPF-led consortium being readmitted to the eco-tender via its appeal to ÚOHS are fading; and what’s more, Prime Minister Petr Nečas (ODS) is becoming increasingly skeptical about the planned super-tender in its current form.
Freshly minister Environment Minister Tomáš Chalupa (ODS) was previosuly the mayor of Prague 6. As that district is home to both Czech billionaire Petr Kellner, the founder and boss of PPF, which has also has its headquarters there, what will be Chalupa’s position on the super tender drafted by Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek (TOP09)?
On the eve of his first day in the environment ministry, Czech Position put four questions to Tomáš Chalupa about the tender and his connections with PPF.
Q: Do you have connections with any of the consortiums that applied for inclusion in the eco-tender?
A: I don’t have any concrete ties with any of the consortiums and I haven’t negotiated or spoken about the eco-tender with any of the participants. I will begin to look into the eco-tender after I’m officially named as Minister of Environment.
Q: Did you work together with PPF during your time in local government?
A: The administration of Prague 6 founded the company Vítězné náměstí together with PPF with the aim of constructing a poly-functional building on the square [in Prague 6] with the same name. The administration didn’t put any assets into the company; it only rented the plot of land on which the building is to be built at the market price.
Q: Did Petr Kellner act as a benefactor in your district?
A: That’s more a question for Mr. Kellner. As far as the company PPF is concerned, it was an official partner of several social events and projects of the Prague 6 administration. All of those projects and events were presented publically as were the partners including PPF.
Q: Your cousin Jan was employed in an important position in PPF for several years. Did this in any way influence your actions or position?
A: Cousin Jan Chalupa worked in PPF Investments until 2009 and afterwards in PPF Partners in London. His work in PPF influenced me in no way at all. As far as the company Vítězné náměstí is concerned, during the negotiations of the administration’s council on the foundation of the company in December 2007, I declared my family relationship with Jan Chalupa, and neither me nor my wife, who is also a councilor for Prague 6, participated in the voting.
The council of the Prague 6 administration approved the joint company with PPF unanimously irrespective of party allegiance. Neither did I take part in the negotiations of the commission which is preparing the project on Vítězné náměstí.
