Albert Matějka (23), Prague 1 — 2026 elections

Main topics

01

Rent isn't everything

The amount of rent shouldn't decide everything. If a project makes sense for the neighbourhood and for the people who live here, it should get a chance to win even against a tourist trap that offers more money. It sounds obvious, but that's not how it works today. And I want to change that. On top of that, residents of the area should have a real say in what opens on their street. They should know in advance when a space is being discussed by a committee and have the opportunity to come and give their opinion. Not only once the contract has long been signed.

02

Let young people have somewhere to stay.

Finding a place to live in Prague 1 when you're twenty and just starting out is almost impossible. And yet I'd really like to stay here, my whole life. But it seems unfair to me that while lots of young people are looking for somewhere to live, there are dozens of empty, unrenovated buildings and flats around us that are just falling into disrepair. The district actually owns dozens of flats that could be renovated, and it even has the money to renovate them. I want that money to be invested sensibly, so that the flats actually get renovated and at least some of them go to young people as starter housing, not as yet another prestigious address or a short-term rental for tourists.

03

The town hall matters to you more than you think

Most young people don't even know who sits at their town hall, let alone what they deal with there. I get it, local politics doesn't sound interesting and nobody has ever properly explained it to us. And yet this is exactly where one active person can really change something, much more than in the Chamber of Deputies. Do you know the difference between the council and the executive board? Who is the mayor of Prague 1 right now? My guess is you don't, and that's not your fault. Yet the town hall decides on starter flats for young people, on the participatory budget and on what the public space around you looks like. I want young people to know who to turn to. I believe I'm proof that even a young person can have a real influence on their surroundings.

A few words about me

Hi, I'm Albert! I'm 23, I study political science at FSV UK and I work as the operations manager of a restaurant and hotel. On top of that, I'm a member of the Volunteer Fire Brigade Unit in Prague 1. I spend a lot of my free time there too, we have a great team and it's nice to know that I'm available and can help when needed.

I've lived in Hradčany, on Nový Svět, since I was born, and I have a genuine soft spot for it. Prague 1 is home to me in the most literal sense - the place where I grew up and where I want to stay.

Apart from that, I love travelling and I'm into politics, history and urban planning.

I'm running because young people belong in politics and I see no reason to wait. I can already see the problems of Prague 1 and I believe I can already genuinely help. And I'm running for Srdce Prahy because it's a young team that gives young people a genuine chance, not just a spot at the bottom of the list.

The candidate's texts have been machine-translated from Czech.

Links and social media

@spanel_albert Website Facebook

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