Czech press survey - October 12

Klaus's decision to use the obsolete ghost of the Benes decrees as a tool in his "last battle" against the Lisbon treaty has nothing in common with the protection of Czech sovereignty, Jiri Leschtina writes in the paper.

It is a gloomy sign that Klaus no longer cares about the reputation and safety of the country he heads, Leschtina writes.

Klaus has pulled out the most malicious card that always stirs up emotions among Czechs, as he wants to be, for a while at least, the big navigator and to change European developments along with potential British PM David Cameron, Leschtina writes.

It is impossible to react by complaining about Klaus's inactivity at court, as it is not clear whether it is Klaus's duty to sign the Lisbon treaty.

Nor is it possible to accuse Klaus of treason, as his resistance to the Lisbon treaty has not threatened democracy in the Czech Republic or the country's sovereignty, Leschtina writes.

"We are simply in the hands of Klaus. We can only hope that he will balk at the consequences of his own steps sooner or later," Leschtina writes.

Czech politicians may protest against the condition set by Klaus, they may call his motivation perfidious and use many ways to show their dissatisfaction, but they will have to cooperate on the fulfilment of his condition, as there is no other possibility for the Lisbon treaty to be adopted but after Klaus's demand is met, Martin Zverina writes in Lidove noviny.

Klaus will achieve the exemption of Czechs from the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, for which some will thank him and others will not, Zverina continues.

It is noteworthy how haughtily Klaus's secretary Ladislav Jakl speaks about the blackmail of the Czech Republic by Brussels, which he says ponders a double-speed arrangement of Europe, without admitting that Klaus blackmails the whole EU on the basis of his personal apprehensions, Zverina writes.

For Czech diplomats it will be difficult to persuade their European counterparts that Klaus's current condition is his last, he writes.

Moreover, from now on it will be absolutely legitimate and unchallengeable by the Czech Republic that Brussels will blackmail it mercilessly, Zverina concludes.

What may the torpedoing of the Lisbon treaty by Klaus lead to? The Czech Republic would lose any influence on the operation of the EU. It would be pushed to the margin of the EU and later ousted from the higher-speed Europe that the countries interested in tighter integration will form, Jiri Hanak writes in Pravo.

"The Czechs will find themselves in a strange vacuum. Let's look at the map and ask the question: to whose benefit?," Hanak writes.

Is Klaus really willing to do his country such a bad service? Hanak asks.

Klaus is like the last samurai. His ideal will die, Viliam Buchert writes in Mlada fronta Dnes, anticipating the further development following Klaus's new demand for an opt-out for Czechs from the EU Charter.

Now that the Polish president has finally added his signature to the Lisbon treaty, politicians across Europe are watching Prague Castle in anxious expectation whether Klaus will follow suit, Buchert writes.

Klaus is the last samurai now. However, irrespective of his battle's result, he will definitely not commit a ritual suicide, even if he lost, Buchert writes.

Honour is no more important in politics and ideals are only mentioned in election speeches. Afterwards it is the turn of interests, power and influence. And in some cases also a big personal vanity. This is the case of Klaus, Buchert writes.

He can never push his ideas of Europe through. He can never emerge as the winner, Buchert says.

Unfortunately, with the outbreak of the debate on Klaus, the discussion about the Lisbon treaty's qualities and effects on people's lives has subsided. This is the worst news about the last samurai and his battle against Lisbon, Buchert concludes.

Author: ČTK
www.ctk.cz