Czech president set to sign Lisbon treaty

Published: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:00:00

The last legal objection to the Lisbon Treaty has been thrown out of the constitutional court in the Czech Republic clearing the way for its ratification. President Vaclav Klaus remains the only EU leader not to sign the treaty and today's court decision effectively paves the way for it to be officially passed into law. Mr Klaus had been awaiting the court's decision and has now declared no other objection to the treaty will be lodged. Concessions on an opt-out of the EU's charter of fundamental rights appear to have appeased his previous concerns.

If he does sign in the coming days, the treaty could come into effect through the EU by next month. The treaty is aimed at stream-lining decision-making and will also see the creation of a new president and foreign affairs chief of the European Council. Today's news is a fresh blow to David Cameron who has pledged a referendum on the treaty in Britain if the Conservatives win the next general election although he has yet to set out what his party's position will be if Europe officially ratifies it before then. He is expected to do so later this week.

The developments in the Czech Republic also put further pressure on former prime minister Tony Blair to formally announce whether he is to stand as a candidate to become the first EU president.

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