Lech Kaczynski's newfound skepticism of the Lisbon Treaty is yet another blow to the European Union in the wake of Ireland's 'No' vote. German papers warn that Brussels needs to recognize the growing sense of mistrust among EU citizens. EU and French flags at the Elysee Palace in Paris. As the French six-month presidency of the European Union kicked off on Tuesday, it looked increasingly as if the Lisbon Treaty was in the process of unravelling. Following the rejection of the EU Reform Treaty by Irish voters in June, Polish President Lech Kaczynski announced on Tuesday that he was unwilling to sign the treaty (more...). He told the Polish dailyDziennick that it was now "pointless" to sign the treaty even though Poland's parliament had already voted in favor of ratification. The EU leaders had initially agreed to go ahead with ratification (more...) in the other 26 member states with the hope that the Irish government could somehow find a way around its citizens' "No" vote. However, it now looks as if the Irish referendum result could have given a boost to euroskeptics across the continent. Czech President Vaclav Klaus has already said he thinks the treaty is "finished." The Czech Constitutional Court is currently assessing whether the charter is compatible with the national constitution.
Lech Kaczynski's newfound skepticism of the Lisbon Treaty is yet another blow to the European Union in the wake of Ireland's 'No' vote. German papers warn that Brussels needs to recognize the growing sense of mistrust among EU citizens.
EU and French flags at the Elysee Palace in Paris. As the French six-month presidency of the European Union kicked off on Tuesday, it looked increasingly as if the Lisbon Treaty was in the process of unravelling.
Following the rejection of the EU Reform Treaty by Irish voters in June, Polish President Lech Kaczynski announced on Tuesday that he was unwilling to sign the treaty (more...). He told the Polish dailyDziennick that it was now "pointless" to sign the treaty even though Poland's parliament had already voted in favor of ratification.
The EU leaders had initially agreed to go ahead with ratification (more...) in the other 26 member states with the hope that the Irish government could somehow find a way around its citizens' "No" vote. However, it now looks as if the Irish referendum result could have given a boost to euroskeptics across the continent. Czech President Vaclav Klaus has already said he thinks the treaty is "finished." The Czech Constitutional Court is currently assessing whether the charter is compatible with the national constitution.
Angela Merkel, German chancellor, has offered France her full support as Paris seeks to salvage the European Union's Lisbon reform treaty. Speaking after Tuesday's announcement that Lech Kaczynski, Polish president, would not sign the treaty, Ms Merkel told the mass-market Bild newspaper: "Together with the French presidency [of the EU], we will do all we can to bring the ratification process forward."Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German foreign minister, echoed the chancellor, saying: "Lisbon is the best foundation for a strong Europe acting self-confidently in the world. That is why we need to preserve it. The French presidency is working towards this goal and it can count on our full support."
Speaking after Tuesday's announcement that Lech Kaczynski, Polish president, would not sign the treaty, Ms Merkel told the mass-market Bild newspaper: "Together with the French presidency [of the EU], we will do all we can to bring the ratification process forward."
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German foreign minister, echoed the chancellor, saying: "Lisbon is the best foundation for a strong Europe acting self-confidently in the world. That is why we need to preserve it. The French presidency is working towards this goal and it can count on our full support."
