New Czech move to block EU treaty

[Vulpix]

New Czech move to block EU treaty


BBC: Czech senators opposed to the EU's Lisbon Treaty have filed a new complaint against it with the country's constitutional court.

The complaint could create a new delay to treaty ratification, even if Irish voters back the treaty in a referendum on Friday.

Czech President Vaclav Klaus, a Eurosceptic, says he will not sign the treaty until the court decides.

The treaty cannot take effect unless all 27 EU member states back it.

The Czech court has rejected previous complaints about the treaty, which is aimed at streamlining EU institutions to improve decision-making in the enlarged bloc.

But it could take the court as long as six months to deliver its verdict on the new complaint, the BBC's Rob Cameron reports from Prague.

Sovereignty battle

Seventeen Eurosceptic senators signed the latest petition, despite the fact that the Czech parliament has approved the treaty.

LISBON TREATY
Aimed at streamlining EU decision-making
Ratified by all member states except Czech Republic, Ireland and Poland
Only Ireland is holding referendum on it
Took a decade of negotiations
Was intended to take effect in January 2009

The senator who lodged the new complaint, Jiri Oberfalzer, told the BBC it centred on persisting concerns that Lisbon infringed upon Czech sovereignty.

He and his colleagues want the court to decide whether the treaty forms the legal foundations for the creation of a European superstate. If it does, they say, then it clearly violates the Czech constitution.

A further threat to Lisbon would emerge if it is not ratified in time for the UK general election, expected next April or May, which the British Conservatives are favourites to win. They have pledged to put Lisbon to a UK referendum if it is not yet in force.

The treaty's opponents say it undermines national sovereignty and concentrates too much power in Brussels. They also argue that it is simply the EU's defunct constitution repackaged.

The Republic of Ireland will hold a second referendum on Lisbon on 2 October.

Irish voters rejected the treaty last year, but EU governments, anxious to bring the treaty into force, then gave Ireland legally binding "guarantees" that Lisbon would not affect key aspects of Irish sovereignty. These Irish guarantees have not yet been attached to the treaty.

Opinion polls suggest that this time round the Irish "Yes" camp will win, despite widespread criticism of the Dublin government over its handling of the economic crisis.

Ireland is the only EU member state to hold a referendum on the treaty, though there have been calls for referendums in several other countries.

Under Irish law, any major amendment to an EU treaty entails an amendment to the Irish constitution - and that requires a referendum.

Elsewhere in the EU, governments argue that Lisbon amends earlier EU treaties and does not need to be put to a referendum.

The treaty would bring in some major changes. It would expand the policy areas subject to qualified majority voting (QMV), rather than unanimity. It would also establish a new post of president of the European Council - the grouping of EU states' leaders - and a high representative for foreign affairs.

[Sol Invictus]

Time to wake up and smell the coffee folks. While you guys are buying into their divide and conquer strategy with Muslims these guys are going for a vicious power-grab.

TONY Blair is set to be made the first President of Europe in weeks, The Sun can reveal.
He will be nominated by EU leaders in Brussels if, as expected, Ireland backs the hated Lisbon Treaty in tomorrow's referendum.

A senior Government source said: "If we get a 'Yes' vote it will all move very, very quickly. Tony could be named by the end of October."

The leaders of the EU's 27 nations, not the voters, will choose the president.

Former PM Mr Blair would not formally take up the powerful position until all EU countries ratified the Treaty.

Even if Ireland votes "Yes", Poland and the Czech Republic are still to decide. But Sweden, which currently holds the EU presidency, wants a president named by the end of this month - and Mr Blair is favourite.

Asked if Mr Blair was the only real candidate, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner replied: "For the moment, indeed."

A senior French diplomat added: "Who will dare say no to Tony Blair?" He played down concerns about Mr Blair's support for the Iraq War.

The revelations came as Tory leader David Cameron said his party would think again about a referendum on the Treaty if every EU country approves it.


If all don't, he vowed to hold a national vote on the issue.

He said: "If the Germans ratify, if the Poles ratify, if the Czechs ratify, if the Irish vote 'Yes' to the Treaty, then a new set of circumstances (apply), and I will address those at the time."

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...hin-weeks.html

[Monolith]

New Czech move to block EU treaty

Finally some good news.

[Fortis in Arduis]

The revelations came as Tory leader David Cameron said his party would think again about a referendum on the Treaty if every EU country approves it.


If all don't, he vowed to hold a national vote on the issue.

He said: "If the Germans ratify, if the Poles ratify, if the Czechs ratify, if the Irish vote 'Yes' to the Treaty, then a new set of circumstances (apply), and I will address those at the time."

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...hin-weeks.html

I do not believe that for one moment.

Who is to force them to hold a referendum?

[Liffrea]

Cameron will hint at a referendum knowing full well that the Lisbon Treason will be in force by the time his sorry shower get into power, then he can hold his hands up and say well it wasn’t my doing, we tried, but dastardly Labour had already signed.

Anyone who thinks the EU can be reformed is stupid, this isn’t about yes to Europe no to Lisbon it’s a final chance for any nation that values running it’s own country badly to drag their sorry ass out before others run their country even worse for them.