Parties present different visions on EU constitution

Czech parliamentary parties, including the Christian Democrats, the Communists, and the Greens, have presented different visions on the EU constitution at a conference in Prague. The Civic and Social Democrats, the country's two largest parties, remain perhaps most at odds on the issue. Speaking at the conference on Friday, Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek backed the idea of a more flexible union, making clear he would prefer a new document rather than the current draft proposal. By comparison, the Social Democrats' Jiri Paroubek expressed support for the constitution, saying he would prefer it see full ratification by 2009.