Topolánek to push for European right-wing group in the EP

The Civic Democrat leader also promised to push for the establishment of a new European right-wing group in the European Parliament after elections in the summer of 2009, saying that Europe needed more realism and less dogmatism and defense of national interests. Mr. Topolánek urged his party to support the Lisbon treaty even though it was imperfect, because no positive changes in Europe were possible without it. He said that during its EU presidency in the first half of 2009 the Czech Republic would take an active approach to solving Europe’s problems.