Czech court delays ruling on Lisbon Treaty

Naďa Straková
27. 10. 2009 20:04
The Constitutional Court will probably rule on the EU´s reform pact on November 3
Czech Constitional Court is seated in Brno, the second largest city in the country.
Czech Constitional Court is seated in Brno, the second largest city in the country. | Foto: Jan Langer

Brno /Reuters/ - The Czech Constitutional Court will probably rule on the European Union's reform treaty on November 3, when it may remove one of the last remaining hurdles to a charter meant to streamline the bloc's decision-making process.

The treaty requires the approval of all 27 member states to take effect but has not yet been ratified by the Czechs, who are the sole country still holding out against it.

The Czech parliament has backed the treaty but eurosceptic President Vaclav Klaus opposes it.

He cannot legally sign the treaty until the court issues a ruling on a challenge against it by a group of members of the upper house of parliament, the Senate.

The court adjourned a hearing on the challenge on Tuesday and scheduled a new session for Nov. 3, when it will most likely deliver a verdict.

Klaus has also demanded that EU leaders give the Czechs an opt-out from a rights charter attached to the treaty.

EU leaders are expected to discuss Klaus's demand at a summit on Thursday and Friday.

 

 

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