Czech MPs mull suspension of Klaus' powers over Lisbon treaty

EU Observer ^ | 06/25/09 | Andrew Rettman

[AKSurprise]

The Czech social democrat party is discussing the possibility of suspending president Vaclav Klaus' powers if he does not sign the EU's Lisbon treaty.

The temporary suspension would require a simple majority of 41 votes in the country's 81-seat senate and would allow caretaker prime minister Jan Fischer to sign the document instead.

Social democrat senator Alena Gajduskova is leading an "intensive debate" on the subject in her party, the secretary of the senate's constitutional commission, Jan Kysela, told EUobserver.

Ms Gajduskova's campaign is also linked to president Klaus' refusal to sign off on the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which was ratified by the Czech parliament in October 2008.

The discussion is likely to pick up steam in the senate's next plenary session starting 20 July. Senators are also waiting for the Czech Constitutional Court's decision on Lisbon before pressing ahead with the motion, Mr Kysela added.

The Czech parliament ratified the Lisbon treaty in May.

The court is expected to rule on Lisbon's compatibility with the Czech constitution in September. But the decision could come in late July if judges throw out the legal challenge on technical grounds.

The eurosceptic Mr Klaus vowed earlier this week that he would be "the last" politician in Europe to sign Lisbon. The treaty is also awaiting final approval in Germany and Poland, as well as a second referendum in Ireland.

[AKSurprise]

Vaclav Klaus is one of my heros, I wish there were political leaders like him in the US. Sad state of affairs, when Socialists manipulate the political system and cede their sovereign freedom to the EU globalists. Hopefully the newly empowered Conservative movement in the EU "parliament" puts a stop to this EU Constitution Lisbon nonsense.

[rahbert]

how can anyone have anything against the portagees?