Three men and a treaty

On 2 October, 67% of Irish voters voiced their approval for the Lisbon Treaty, but implementation of the agreement remains contingent on the endorsement of three national politicians: Czech President Václav Klaus, his Polish counterpart Lech Kaczyński and the leader of the British Conservatives – and probable future Prime Minister of the UK - David Cameron.

In Prague,Lidové Noviny leads with the headline "Klaus stymies Europe." The Czech President has refused to sign the treaty, which was approved by the Czech parliament several months ago, and is now waiting on a Constitutional Court decision before he determines his next move. Writing in the columns of Lidové Noviny, Zbyněk Petráček ironically notes that the referendum result will be "a victory for Klaus," who has been anticipating a change of heart in Ireland for quite some time. "The destiny of this treaty that will affect a community of 500 million Europeans is now in his hands. People all over the world in cities as far apart as New York and Moscow will be forced to listen to him. He will no longer pass for the oddball representative of a small country whose sole distinction is his refusal to acknowledge anthropogenic climate change. Now, he is going to command respect."

Brussels tries to isolate Klaus

In response to the Czech leader's intransigence, "the EU has clearly decided not to pressurize the Czech Republic, and instead moved to isolate Václav Klaus as a president who willfully ignores parliament and threatens to undermine his country's position in Europe," explains Aktualne.cz. The news website further quotes a diplomat, who describes the Commission's strategy as one of "forcing Klaus into a position where he is clearly opposed to everyone else in Europe." Talks are now underway with the Prime Minister of the interim government Jan Fischer, who is convinced that Klaus will behave like a statesman and sign before the end of the year. However, as Lidové Noviny remarks, "It might be wise not to bet on it."

According to Respekt, the Constitutional Court will decide in October if it should consider a second appeal filed by a group of senators close to Klaus. The Prague daily believes it will certainly opt to examine the appeal, and that judges will announce a verdict in late November or early December. "The whole process should be concluded in time for the European summit on 10 and 11 December," reports Respekt, which further insists that Václav Klaus will have time to sign before 10 December.

Polish president still hesitates

In Warsaw, Lech Kaczyński had pledged to ratify the Lisbon Treaty if it was approved by the second Irish referendum. However, it now appears that this promise may be in jeopardy. Rzeczpospolita reveals "that the president, who is still hesitant, wants to secure assurances that Poland will follow the example of Germany and demand a greater role for the Polish Parliament in European affairs." Last month, following a request from the Constitutional Court, the German Parliament passed a law to reinforce the Bundestag's control over decisions that imply a transfer of sovereignty. The conservative daily adds that Kaczyński "may also attempt to delay ratification in order to obtain a better post for the Polish candidate in the new European Commission," which will shortly be designated.

Writing in Dziennik Gazeta Prawna, Andrzej Talaga takes the view that "prevarication on the part of Václav Klaus and Lech Kaczyński, which aims to further their countries' national interests, is unlikely to block the Lisbon Treaty." The truth of the matter is that "weak countries like Poland and the Czech Republic need the protective shelter of treaty if they are to strengthen their position and challenge the Franco-German leadership of the Union." However, the Polish columnist remains convinced that "the Robin Hood tactics" of the dissenting presidents have been harmful to both countries.

David Cameron's referendum headache

In London, David Cameron is not yet in power, but his promise to hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty if it was not ratified before the Conservatives took office has put the favourite to win general elections scheduled for next spring in an embarrassing position. The Independent notes that "the toxic issue of Europe returned to haunt the party, after Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, made a colourful plea for a national vote both on Lisbon and on Britain's membership of the European Union."

According to the Daily Telegraph, once in power, David Cameron could organize "a referendum specifically about certain rights that Britain has been forced to give up, rather than a wholesale vote on whether Lisbon should be accepted as the latter could mean a verdict on Britain's continuing EU membership."