EU Constitution Vote Delayed

Czech lawmakers postpone vote on new EU treaty

The lower chamber of the Czech parliament has postponed a vote on the EU reform treaty until Feb. 17.

The Czech Republic, which holds the EU rotating presidency, is the last EU country to vote on the so-called Lisbon Treaty.

The document reforms the structures in the 27-nation EU, and all member states must approve it for it to take effect. The treaty's future is in doubt because Irish voters rejected it in June.

The vote was delayed Wednesday at the request of lawmakers from the conservative Civic Democratic Party of Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, who cited procedural reasons. The party is split over the issue.

The parliament's upper chamber also is yet to take a vote on the charter, and it needs approval from Euro-skeptic President Vaclav Klaus.

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Via International Herald Tribune