Czech politicians agree that EU needs to reform in wake of Brexit

The decision by British voters for Great Britain to leave the EU has come as a major shock to many. In the Czech Republic, as elsewhere, politicians issued statements largely of regret but in some cases, congratulations that democracy had been served.

Photo: CTK

Up until the last moment, many bet or hoped that the “Remain” camp would prevail; instead it was the opposite; the early hours of Friday brought confirmation that a majority of voters had voted for Britain to leave. Czech reaction, as elsewhere, was swift. Prime Minister Bohulsav Sobotka, on a foreign visit, wrote online that the decision was “neither the end of the world nor the end of the European Union”; but he made clear he regarded the result as most unfortunate.

Others also quickly acknowledged the result as serious, saying that the months ahead would raise new questions and debate. Foreign Minister Lubomír Zaorálek told journalists that as far as the Czech Republic was concerned, the debate needed to start at home and from there the country would need to reach out to others to help shape a Europe which better reflected the needs of its citizens. Here is what he had to say:

Lubomír Zaorálek, photo: Filip Jandourek

“We have to have a debate here in the Czech Republic where we would clearly outline what kind of an EU we want and then try and push for changes… If we want to change the feeling of alienation we need to say ‘We want an EU which is closer to the people, which serves their needs, which leaves no doubt about its raison détre … and then to look to our allies, our neighbours and other partners in Europe.”

Communist leader Vojětch Filip warned that if what he described as the democratic deficit continued even a so-called Czexit (what some are calling a Czechout) from the European Union might not be unthinkable. In the wake of the Brexit, there are already growing fears in general of a domino or knock-on effect, in which other EU members might be inspired to pack their bags.

“At this moment a ‘reformatting’ of the Lisbon Treaty is not only an opportunity but the duty of the European Commission and individual governments to take very seriously, so that citizens – and not bureaucrats in Brussels – are served.”

Václav Klaus, photo: Filip Jandourek

Amidst the general gloom and regret there were pockets of jubilance; one who found more than reason enough to cheer is former president Václav Klaus. An outspoken euro sceptic, Mr Klaus applauded that the Brits had taken their destiny into their own hands.

“I think the result will give millions of Europeans…the message that the cradle of democracy and capitalism, Great Britain, which twice saved Europe, once from Napoleon and once from Hitler, is for the third time beginning to save Europe, [this time] from what I consider to be the monster that is the Brussels elite.”