Der Standard suggests Czech president a threat to Lisbon treaty

The Austrian daily Der Standard has suggested that Czech President Václav Klaus could be a bigger threat for the future of the Lisbon treaty than the “No” vote in the recent Irish referendum. The Irish rejected the document, aimed at reforming the running of the 27-member bloc, earlier this year. Mr Klaus, a well-known euro-sceptic, has long criticised the treaty. The daily contends that the Czech president is trying to prevent the treaty by “all possible means”, taking note of the fact that the president will meet with an outspoken opponent of the document, in an upcoming visit to Ireland. Given the Czech president’s stance, a number of MEPs as well as other observers in recent weeks have questioned the Czech Republic’s ability to provide strong leadership during its six-month EU presidency. It takes up the presidency on January 1.