Government pulls plug on Danube-Oder-Elbe canal project

The Czech government has definitively pulled the plug on the idea of building a canal between the Danube, Oder and Elbe rivers after cancelling territorial reserves for the project. Coalition members the Pirates announced the move, which was confirmed by the minister for transport, Martin Kupka of the Civic Democrats.

The ambitious canal project had been strongly promoted by the outgoing president, Miloš Zeman.

Regional leaders told the Czech News Agency they welcomed the government’s decision.