Petr Honzejk on the Euro-scepticism of the Czechs and Slovaks

Reflecting on the Slovakian rejection of the extension of the euro bailout fund in the first vote and the dogged resistance of Czech President Václav Klaus to the Treaty of Lisbon, commentator Petr Honzejk asks in the business paper Hospodářské noviny why the Czechs and Slovaks have become vociferous Eurosceptics: "We take everything we can get from European integration. Schengen? Fine! Away with the criminal Iron Curtain! Freedom of movement for workers and capital? You bet! ... But when it's about commitments it's a whole different kettle of fish: They strip us of our sovereignty, say the Czechs. There's no question of our pensioners paying for others, say the Slovaks. Every community is based on solidarity, but when it's our turn to contribute we have a problem. Then the message to Europe from the Czechs and Slovaks is: 'You give? All right. We must also give? How dare you expect this of us?'"

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