The lower house of the Czech parliament approved the European Union's reform treaty on Wednesday, an important step towards its full ratification. However the country's ruling party of Civic Democrats is known for its euroscepticism as is the country's head of state Vaclav Klaus. This may mean that the document will have a long way ahead before it is given the green light.
Report by Agnieszka Bielawska.
The Czech republic faces a situation similar to that in Poland where the Treaty had been approved by the Lower House but still waits for the decision of the Polish head of state. President Lech Kaczynski has firmly stated that he relies in his decision on the Irish 'yes' to the Treaty. This proves to be a hard nut to crack since the Irish have already rejected the document in the first referendum and it is uncertain what the results of the planned second vote may bring.
The treaty must be approved by all 27 EU member states to take effect and after the yes in the Lower House has yet to be approved by the Czech upper house, where it could face weeks or even months more of delays.
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