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.
USA
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