Lisbon ratification debate postponed again

The lower house of the Czech Parliament is postponing a debate planned for next Tuesday on ratifying the European Union’s Lisbon treaty, the chairman of the Chamber of Deputies, Miloslav Vlček, told reporters. The matter had already been postponed once, in December. The lower house is now set to discuss Lisbon after meetings of its foreign affairs and constitutional-legal committees planned for February 15.

Even if it is ratified in Parliament, the Czech president, Václav Klaus, has indicated he will not sign the EU’s reform treaty unless it is approved by Ireland; Irish voters rejected Lisbon in a referendum last June and are due to vote on it again this year.

Author: Ian Willoughby