The troubled Roma have returned, the mayor mentioned. The community wants her resignation

The Romea.cz server drew attention to the case. The controversial statement was made by Quittová at the council meeting in March, when she answered a question from opposition representative Jana Přikrylová (Together for Černovice), who asked whether the city hall monitors the situation at the address where a Roma family recently lives.

Quittová responded that the house was sold through a real estate agency, the sellers were a couple she knows personally. “They sold it to…, yes, to people, um, others, I don’t know how to say it now, simply to Roma, whom we got rid of, whom we got rid of a few years ago from Staré Černovice, who moved to Slavkov near Brno, and these people simply bought it from our people, whom I know, because they gave the highest bid,” said the mayor.

She further stated that these Roma have a history of criminal activity. She emphasized that after moving in, they have not committed any offenses against her for the time being. “It annoys us too, because we were happy to get rid of them, and we have them back,” Quittová added at the end of her speech.

“Another example of a politician who continues to defame the Roma”

The reaction from the organizations and institutions associated with the minority was vigorous. They clearly understood the statement as anti-Roma and aimed not only at a specific family. According to the server, the Roma Council, which is an advisory body for Roma issues in Brno, expressed deep concern over the statements and called on the mayor to apologize and resign from political positions.

Council representatives also met with Quittová in person. “At this meeting, it was clearly demonstrated that the stereotypical statements were aimed at a Roma family that has not lived in the district for a long time. Nevertheless, she attributed a criminal past to the newly arrived Roma family, who legally bought a house here. This is another example of a politician who continues to dishonor and vilify the Roma,” the council said.

However, in response to iDNES.cz, the mayor pointed out that she was only talking about one specific family that was previously problematic and returned to Černovice after buying a house, and that the new family did not move there. “The man in question, Roman Kotlár, even came to see me personally at the town hall, even though he allegedly does not live in the house with his family. That he has committed criminal activity in the past is publicly traceable,” Quittová explained

Similar to the Roma council, they also expressed themselves in RomanoNet, where non-governmental and non-profit organizations working with the Roma minority are coordinated. “We strongly condemn any manifestations of racism and discrimination. We call on the mayor and other city representatives to clearly distance themselves from these statements and take corrective steps, including a public apology and the introduction of measures for better mutual understanding and cooperation among all citizens,” said RomanoNet director Milan Miko.

Quittová apologized for her words to the Romea.cz server, calling them unluckily chosen. “I am definitely not the type of person who would favor any minority in our republic. We can’t even talk about any prejudices against the Roma community,” emphasized the mayor.

She added that Roma families also live in Černovice for a long time, with whom there are no problems. “Some also work for the city district, some have their own businesses here, their children go to kindergarten or primary school here, and I can say that I grew up with some people and am in regular personal contact with them. I am sorry that my statement about a specific family aroused these negative reactions,” Quittová pointed out.

He intends to speak about the whole matter at the Chernivtsi council on Monday, where he will reject the call to resign. This week, she discussed the matter with colleagues from the local coalition. She also informed other STAN MPs about the case.