euro|topics - The death blow for the EU Reform Treaty?

Main focus of Wednesday, July 2, 2008

The death blow for the EU Reform Treaty?

Polish President Lech Kaczyński has refused to sign the Treaty of Lisbon although it has already been passed by parliament. Ratification is also under threat in other countries such as the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany. Could this be the death of the EU Reform Treaty?

Polityka Blog - Poland

Following Polish President Lech Kaczyński's announcement that he will not sign the EU Reform Treaty, journalist Adam Szostkiewic expresses concern about the possible damage to Poland's reputation on the blog of left-wing news magazine Polityka: "Now Kaczyński has destroyed the whole point of his meeting with other European politicians, and in particular [French President Nicolas] Sarkozy, to discuss the Lisbon treaty. Paris will not forget this. Nor will Berlin or Brussels. True, all attempts to revive Lisbon are probably in vain. But that does not mean that it no longer matters whether Kaczyński signs the treaty or not. It would be better if he did sign it. ... The populist tactics of [the conservative president and opposition party] the PiS are nothing new. The PiS has the same attitude toward Europe as the anti-European nationalist Right and the anti-European ideological Left. These forces want the Union to fail." (02/07/2008)

Népszabadság - Hungary

For the Hungarian national newspaper Népszabadság, Eurosceptics are on the rise across Europe: "Nicolas Sarkozy, who took the helm of the EU yesterday, has had to swallow two bitter pills right at the outset: Neither the German nor the Polish president has signed the 'Lisbon Treaty' - at least for the time being. ... Horst Köhler's resistance seems more of a formal nature. ... And the Polish President Lech Kaczyński will also be open to persuasion, albeit for a high price. ... In most EU member states the ratification of the 'Lisbon Treaty' has gone relatively smoothly. But it would be naive to think that the Eurosceptics are now at a disadvantage - of course with the exception of the Irish. It is entirely possible that Lech Kaczyński or Czech President Vaclav Klaus will hit the brakes on EU integration." (02/07/2008)

Právo - Czech Republic

Czech President Vaclav Klaus has stressed his approval of his Polish counterpart Lech Kaczynski's decision not to sign the Treaty of Lisbon. Political scientist Jiří Pehe cannot understand the "jubilation at Prague Castle": "With its stance on Lisbon the Czech Republic is manoeuvring itself into a situation that could seriously threaten its EU Council presidency in the first half of 2009. Prague's diplomats are once again overestimating their power, and this is beginning to annoy the rest of the EU. And worse still: the Czech Republic is making an enemy of those who are impatiently waiting to join the EU. The French and Germans have clearly said that without institutional reform there can be no further enlargement of the Union. Klaus promised to help the waiting states, but in reality the country is now becoming an obstacle in their path." (02/07/2008)

Corriere della Sera - Italy

The Corriere della Sera comments on the EU treaty crisis and recommends a renewed surge of commitment. "Kaczyński is not the only spoilsport. The Czech Republic is waiting on the decision of its constitutional court. ... Even if the court rules in favour of the treaty, as in Poland it is President Vaclav Klaus who has the last word. ... And even if the obstacles in Warsaw and Prague are overcome, the way must be paved for a second referendum in Ireland. The overall impression is that Europe is entering the same tunnel it entered in 2005 after the French and Dutch rejection of the constitution. All we need now is for politicians to start talking about a pause for reflection, which is tantamount to admitting paralysis. ... The EU needs clear and unorthodox commitment upheld by the far-sightedness of its statesmen. Can Sarkozy initiate this?" (02/07/2008)

Libération - France

Libération newspaper reflects on the effect the Polish president's refusal may have on the French EU Council presidency: "The catastrophe continues. At least so it seems. Just a few hours after yesterday's start to the French EU Council presidency, the conservative Polish President Lech Kaczyński ... announced he will not sign the Treaty of Lisbon. ... This is another hard blow for Paris, where hopes were high that a crisis could be avoided and that the eight countries that have not officially ratified this document ... would remain immune to the No bug." (02/07/2008)

» To the complete press review of Wednesday, July 2, 2008

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