Klaus is probably the most staunchly democratic politician in the whole EU. He’s a man who stood up to the Communists and is afraid of nobody.
The reference itself will have been triggered by the German Constitutional Court’s ruling and the status of the guarrantees given to Ireland. But in any case the delay brings closer the moment when Cameron - still repeating his promise - will deliver to the British people the referendum we have waited so long for. There have been repeated reports that the Bill to provide for such a referendum has been drafted and agreed so that it can be placed before Parliament as soon as Cameron has the power to do so.
Christina
TELEGRAPH 27.7.09
Czech president refers Lisbon Treaty to court
Vaclav Klaus, the Czech president, has threatened to derail attempts to see the controversial Lisbon Treaty take effect before the end of the year.
By Martin Banks in Brussels
Supported by 17 Czech senators, Mr Klaus, a critic of the treaty, plans to refer the document to his country's constitutional court at the start of August.
In seeking a ruling on whether the treaty complies with the Czech constitution, Mr Klaus would be able to delay signing the treaty into Czech law until the court had given its verdict.
That could thwart the ambitions of Sweden, current holder of the EU's rotating presidency, to see the Treaty's provisions pushed through before the end of the year if Ireland votes to approve the treaty in its Oct 2 referendum.
Fredrik Reinfeldt, the Swedish prime minister, said recently he wanted to see the EU "move over to the Lisbon Treaty, if possible, late in our presidency".
He wants an EU heads of state summit in Brussels on 29-30 October to nominate candidates for two influential posts which will be created if, and when, the treaty is ratified. The posts are President of the European Council, for which Tony Blair is expected to be the UK government's candidate, and a new High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy.
The treaty, which also envisages an EU diplomatic service, is highly controversial because its critics say it will strip member states of many of their powers.
Germany and Poland still have to ratify the treaty. While they are widely expected to do so, any further delay could hold up the appointment of the new European Commission, which is due to take office on Nov 1.
Andrew Duff, the UK Liberal MEP, accused Mr Klaus of procrastinating.
Meanwhile, one of the key figures in the pro-treaty campaign in Ireland has admitted that the "Yes" camp faces a "tough campaign" over the next two months.
The latest opinion polls suggest a "Yes" vote would be possible, but Pat Cox, campaign director of Ireland for Europe, an independent civil society group promoting ratification, said, "Ireland is a very different place today to what it was a year ago. The financial crisis has rocked our confidence. We are reeling from a series of body blows over the last 12 months. There is no room for complacency.
"There are those on the No side who will seek to exploit our present uncertainty to encourage the Irish people to vote against our own interests and reject the Treaty.
"We do not plan to let them succeed," Mr Cox, a former Irish MEP and president of the European Parliament, added
Posts
