Sun, Nov 22 2009

Czech court clears way for Lisbon Treaty

Tue, Nov 03 2009 11:22 CET byGabriel Hershman 700 Views
Czech court clears way for Lisbon Treaty

The Czech constitutional court has ruled that the Lisbon Treaty does not violate the country's constitution, removing the last obstacle standing in the way of president Vaclav Klaus's signature.  

The Czech Republic is the only EU member yet to ratify the treaty, and the decision removes one of the last hurdles for its passage.

Klaus, who is known for his eurosceptic views, has said he would not continue to oppose the treaty that is designed to streamline decision-making in the 27-member body. Klaus has managed to secure a promised opt-out from the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights to avoid property claims from ethnic Germans expelled from Czechoslovakia after World War 2.

Once Klaus signs, the treaty will come into effect throughout the EU on 1 December.

The Czech constitutional court had been considering a case brought by 17 Eurosceptic senators who said the treaty would create a super-state, and as such would infringe Czech sovereignty.

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