Most Czech politicians hail Klaus's decision to sign Lisbon

Klaus was the last of the EU heads of state to ratify the EU reform treaty. As a result, it can come into force in December.

The only Czech political leader not to clearly welcome Klaus's step is Mirek Topolanek, chairman of the Civic Democrats (ODS), who said "this game has no winner."

According to Topolanek, the process of the Czech ratification of the treaty, which he signed in his then capacity as Czech prime minister in Lisbon and which he promoted against the will of a part of his ODS, has "left behind an awkward aftertaste caused by the conduct of the Constitutional Court, of the president, of the EU, of [Social Democrats chairman Jiri] Paroubek and also of my colleagues."

A part of ODS senators challenged the Lisbon treaty twice at the Constitutional Court in the past year.

Klaus, a staunch opponent of the treaty, sharply criticised it after adding his signature to it today.

Paroubek, whose Social Democrats (CSSD) support the Lisbon treaty, today said the CSSD's recent prudent approach to Klaus was correct. "It is good that the president did not hesitate and that he signed [the treaty] immediately after the Constitutional Court issued its ruling," Paroubek said.

The CSSD in recent weeks refrained from lashing out at Klaus over his reluctance to sign the treaty and over his demand of an opt-out for Czechs from the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, a section of the Lisbon treaty.

Paroubek said in his opinion the Constitutional Court could have discussed the senatorial complaints more quickly and closed the whole affair a year ago [when the first complaint was dealt with]."

The CSSD devoted a big political capital to the Lisbon ratification process and it is glad to see the treaty ratified now, Paroubek added.

Vojtech Filip, head of the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM), said that Klaus, by signing the treaty, proved that his hitherto refusal to sign it was no obstruction as his critics asserted.

"He simply took the time the president has at his disposal in connection with such a significant act," Filip said.

Christian Democrat (KDU-CSL) chairman Cyril Svoboda said he is glad that the Lisbon ratification process is closed. "Nevertheless, we have slowed down whole Europe," he said, adding that he cannot "applaud" Klaus's step therefore.

Greens chairman Ondrej Liska appreciated it that Klaus signed the treaty immediately after the court ruling.

"This means a huge progress for whole Europe," Liska said.

Under the Lisbon treaty the EU is to become more capable of action, more transparent and with a more comprehensible structure, Liska said.

Autor: ČTK
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