Supporters, critics of Lisbon treaty demonstrate in Prague

The protesting supporters of Klaus were members of the recently established extra-parliamentary Free Citizens' Party (SSO).

The demonstration in protest against Klaus, organised by well-known activist Jan Sinagl, was joined by Green Party representative Matej Stropnicky and by celebrities such as documentary film-maker Olga Sommerova.

Sinagl said Klaus's approach drives the Czech Republic away from Western countries.

"The goal of [today's] meeting is to send out a signal that most people definitely do not support the president's approach, that they wish the treaty to be signed," Sinagl told reporters.

The SSO representatives, for their part, said signing the treaty would weaken the Czech Republic's sovereignty. By signing, the president would commit treason, they asserted.

The Lisbon treaty, if implemented, would be disadvantageous for Czechs, said SSO chairman Petr Mach.

His opinion is shared by Jana Bobosikova, former Czech MEP, who attended the meeting of Klaus's supporters.

The Czech Republic is the last EU country not to have ratified the Lisbon treaty as Klaus's signature is still missing.

Earlier this month Klaus said he wants an opt-out for Czechs from the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, part of the treaty, in fear that the Charter could enable post-war deportees to claim their former property on Czech soil.

According to a poll the SANEP agency conducted last week, 58 percent of Czechs believe that Klaus's approach harms the position of the Czech Republic in the EU and that he should sign the treaty immediately.

Author: ČTK
www.ctk.cz