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Czech court asked to review EU reform treaty

Other News Materials 25 April 2008 00:00 (UTC +04:00)

( dpa ) - Czech lawmakers Thursday asked the nation's Constitutional Court to review the European Union Reform Treaty, reflecting a euro-sceptic stance by Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek's party.

The Senate voted 48-22 to have the high court rule whether the Lisbon Treaty is constitutional, a move that is expected to drag out the ratification process in the Czech Republic.

The proposal was initiated by Topolanek's right-wing Civic Democrats. Czech President Vaclav Klaus, who founded the party, is a treaty critic, but has pledged not to block its ratification.

EU leaders - including Topolanek - signed the treaty last December in a bid to streamline decision-making in the expanded 27-member bloc.

The treaty has passed parliaments in 11 EU countries: Denmark, Austria, Portugal, Slovakia, Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovenia, Malta, Romania and France.

Germany's lower house cleared the pact Thursday, with an upper- house vote set for May 23.

If all members approve the pact before year's end, its reforms are likely to be introduced during 2009.

Ireland is the only country planning a referendum on the treaty, scheduled for June 12.

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