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Czech leader scorns EU politics | Czech leader scorns EU politics |
(10 minutes later) | |
Czech President Vaclav Klaus has accused the European Parliament of contributing to a sense of political alienation among EU citizens. | Czech President Vaclav Klaus has accused the European Parliament of contributing to a sense of political alienation among EU citizens. |
Mr Klaus told MEPs in Brussels that "between citizens and EU representatives there is a great distance - not only geographically". | Mr Klaus told MEPs in Brussels that "between citizens and EU representatives there is a great distance - not only geographically". |
The Czech Republic currently holds the EU's six-monthly rotating presidency. | The Czech Republic currently holds the EU's six-monthly rotating presidency. |
Some MEPs walked out of the chamber during Mr Klaus's speech, which was punctuated by both applause and boos. | Some MEPs walked out of the chamber during Mr Klaus's speech, which was punctuated by both applause and boos. |
The Czech leader criticised those EU politicians who "assume that there is only one possible correct future for European integration, which is ever closer union". | The Czech leader criticised those EU politicians who "assume that there is only one possible correct future for European integration, which is ever closer union". |
"Here, there is only one alternative and those who dare think about a different option are labelled enemies of European integration," he said. | "Here, there is only one alternative and those who dare think about a different option are labelled enemies of European integration," he said. |
The Lisbon Treaty would make the problem even worse Czech President Vaclav Klaus Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty | The Lisbon Treaty would make the problem even worse Czech President Vaclav Klaus Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty |
Mr Klaus also reiterated his opposition to the EU's Lisbon Treaty, which is aimed at reshaping EU institutions to make them better suited to the enlarged 27-nation bloc. Critics say it threatens national sovereignty. | Mr Klaus also reiterated his opposition to the EU's Lisbon Treaty, which is aimed at reshaping EU institutions to make them better suited to the enlarged 27-nation bloc. Critics say it threatens national sovereignty. |
'No European nation' | 'No European nation' |
He spoke of the "bureaucratisation of the decision-making process" in the EU, likening the trend to the totalitarian communism that stifled Czech democracy for more than four decades. | He spoke of the "bureaucratisation of the decision-making process" in the EU, likening the trend to the totalitarian communism that stifled Czech democracy for more than four decades. |
"The Lisbon Treaty would make the problem even worse... since there is no European 'demos' [populace], no European nation," he added. | "The Lisbon Treaty would make the problem even worse... since there is no European 'demos' [populace], no European nation," he added. |
"This defect cannot be solved by strengthening the role of the European Parliament. It would on the contrary make the problem worse and lead to greater alienation of European citizens." | "This defect cannot be solved by strengthening the role of the European Parliament. It would on the contrary make the problem worse and lead to greater alienation of European citizens." |
But he insisted that "EU membership does not have any alternatives". | But he insisted that "EU membership does not have any alternatives". |
The Lisbon Treaty would boost MEPs' legislative powers in a number of areas. A handful of countries have not yet ratified it - including the Czech Republic. All must ratify it for it to take effect. | The Lisbon Treaty would boost MEPs' legislative powers in a number of areas. A handful of countries have not yet ratified it - including the Czech Republic. All must ratify it for it to take effect. |
Mr Klaus has steadfastly refused to fly the EU flag over Prague Castle, and in December he had a row with some visiting MEPs, who criticised his sceptical stance on the EU. | |
"Let's not underestimate the fears of citizens of many member countries - they feel their ability to influence decisions is very limited," Mr Klaus told the parliament on Thursday. | "Let's not underestimate the fears of citizens of many member countries - they feel their ability to influence decisions is very limited," Mr Klaus told the parliament on Thursday. |
"Let's not allow a situation where citizens live with a feeling of resignation that the European project is not their own." | "Let's not allow a situation where citizens live with a feeling of resignation that the European project is not their own." |
Mr Klaus said the priority for Europe must be prosperity, and he blamed the current economic crisis on political meddling in the free market. | Mr Klaus said the priority for Europe must be prosperity, and he blamed the current economic crisis on political meddling in the free market. |