Politicians divided over whether senators should withdraw complaint

Some politicians have urged the group of right-wing senators who filed a constitutional complaint against the Lisbon treaty to withdraw it, in order to clear the way for its immediate ratification by the president. The Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats say this would be the easiest solution, pointing out that delaying the treaty’s ratification would harm the country’s interests. However others believe that once launched the constitutional procedure should be allowed to run its course. Minister for European Affairs Stefan Fulle said that under the circumstances it would be better if the Constitutional Court completed the treaty’s assessment. The group of senators who filed the complaint have shown no indication of reconsidering their decision, despite growing pressure on them to do so.