BACKGROUND: Lisbon Treaty faces holdup in four nations

Berlin - The Treaty of Lisbon, which beefs up governing structures in the 27-nation European Union from next year, still faces hold-ups in four nations with only half a year left to go until it is targeted to take effect. GERMANY must modify its implementing legislation in a last-minute scramble before its parliament breaks up for the September 27 general election. On Tuesday, Germany's constitutional court ruled the legislation inadequate. Berlin officials said parliament will meet in August, while most Germans are on summer holiday, for a first reading of legislation increasing the German parliament's voice on European Union issues. A further reading will follow on September 8 in the thick of electoral campaigning, a parliamentary official said. Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition parties are strongly pro-treaty, so a majority is assured. IRELAND is expected to hold a fresh referendum in early October. Irish voters rejected the Lisbon Treaty in June 2008 by a majority of 53.4 per cent, but polls suggest that EU assurances of no interference in key Irish policies will sway voters to vote yes this time. Ratification by the CZECH REPUBLIC is being held up by President Vaclav Klaus. The Eurosceptic president has said he would not reconsider unless all the other nations have ratified. In POLAND, another Eurosceptic, President Lech Kaczynski has held off putting his signature on ratifying legislation. He says he is waiting to see whether the Irish vote in favour of the Lisbon Treaty in their referendum. While January 1, 2010 is not legally prescribed as a deadline, it is politically important as a target to stop the process unravelling. The majority of national parliaments have approved the treaty without holding any referendums. After years of wrangling, the European Union has been hoping it can end this year in a more upbeat mood. The plan so far has been to hold a summit in late October celebrating the Irish yes to the treaty.