EU Lisbon Treaty Suffers Another Setback

Czech Republic senators filed a complaint against the Lisbon Treaty with the Czech court on Tuesday.
EU Lisbon Treaty Suffers Another Setback
A man holds a placard reading ''No lisbon treaty, Yes freedom of Europen nations'' during a demonstration against the Lisbon Treaty in front of the embassy of Ireland on September 24 in Prague. (Michal Cizek/AFP/Getty Images)
9/30/2009
Updated:
10/1/2015
<a><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/09/lisbon91116624.jpg" alt="A man holds a placard reading ''No lisbon treaty, Yes freedom of Europen nations'' during a demonstration against the Lisbon Treaty in front of the embassy of Ireland on September 24 in Prague. (Michal Cizek/AFP/Getty Images)" title="A man holds a placard reading ''No lisbon treaty, Yes freedom of Europen nations'' during a demonstration against the Lisbon Treaty in front of the embassy of Ireland on September 24 in Prague. (Michal Cizek/AFP/Getty Images)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-1825978"/></a>
A man holds a placard reading ''No lisbon treaty, Yes freedom of Europen nations'' during a demonstration against the Lisbon Treaty in front of the embassy of Ireland on September 24 in Prague. (Michal Cizek/AFP/Getty Images)
PRAGUE—Czech Republic senators filed a complaint against the Lisbon Treaty with the Czech court on Tuesday. This move is likely to further delay the progress of the Treaty.

Czech is one of four countries that has not yet given their consent to the Treaty, which is predicted to have a major impact on the powers of the European Parliament. The Treaty cannot enter into force until all 27 EU member states have given their consent.

Czech President Vaclav Klaus says he is not ready to consider signing the EU’s reform treaty until a court rules whether it violates the country’s constitution. He said he will not sign the Treaty until the Irish have said approved to the referendum, which will be held this Friday.

European Foreign Affairs Minister, Stefan Füle said at a press conference that the senators opposition can be seen as an obstruction for the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.

Germany and Poland are the other two countries that have yet to give their consent.

Initially, it was determined that the Lisbon Treaty would enter into force in January 2009. The postponed approval has created a tight atmosphere among European member states. French president Nicolas Sarkozy said the Czech Republic will have to face the consequences if Czech Minister Klaus doesn’t sign the Treaty.

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi suggested the creation of a “Core Europe,” which implies the operating of some European states beyond unanimity.

“Europe cannot truly take decisions because decisions must be taken unanimously and that cannot continue,” Mr. Berlusconi was reported as saying by the EUObserver.

A previous Irish referendum also set back the passing of the Treaty.