Euro Watch: MEPs chastise Klaus

As the Czech EU presidency nears and the domestic debate over Lisbon Treaty ratification heats up, the eyes of Europe become increasingly focused on the antics of President Václav Klaus, who continues to bewilder the international community with his anti-environmentalist stance on global warming and resolute Euroskepticism. So, when a delegation of European Parliament leaders arrived at Prague Castle Dec. 5 for an official chat with the president, we sat back to watch the show.

The exchange was dutifully translated and transcribed by Klaus' typically mute staff in an apparent effort to publicize the delegation's many affronts toward a head of state. These began in the first moments of the meeting, shortly after Klaus exchanged "smiling" greetings with the delegates, adding that he was certain the Czechs would not disappoint in their role as EU presidents.

German MEP Martin Schulz started by emphasizing the necessity of the Lisbon Treaty, gently hinting that the president's opinion was "somewhat controversial in this regard."

"You know me," replied the president, still "smilingly," according to the transcript. "I am not controversial."

It was Daniel Cohn-Bendit, the outspoken head of the European Parliament's Green Party faction, who threw the first punch. After presenting Klaus with the EU flag - a symbol the head of state refuses to display at the castle - Bendit touted the nascent EU environmental package, told Klaus that he will have no right to block the Lisbon Treaty once Parliament approves it, and demanded an explanation of the president's relationship with anti-Lisbon lobbyist Declan Ganley, an Irish businessman with allegedly shady finances.

"I have to say that, during the past six years, no one has spoken to me here in that style and tone," Klaus replied. "You're not on the Parisian barricades here. I thought these methods ended for us 19 years ago. I see I was wrong."

The flabbergasted president was then accosted by Irish MEP Brian Crowley, who emphasized that although his country rejected the document in a June referendum, the Irish do in fact want the Lisbon Treaty to pass. "By meeting with Ganley, you insulted the Irish people," he told Klaus.

Paradoxically, the rhetoric used by Crowley to assure Klaus of the Irish dedication to the treaty closely resembled the language previously used by Ganley's think tank Libertas to sway the referendum vote against it. "My father fought all his life for independence from British domination," Crowley thundered. "Many of my relations lost their [lives] because of this."

For the most part, the remainder of the meeting took a more moderate tone. Other MEPs asked Klaus about his take on the financial crisis, a recently vetoed anti-discrimination law, and the planned U.S. missile-defense shield in Central Europe.

Danish MEP Hanne Dahl distanced herself from her colleagues' belligerence. "It's important for you not to be demonized in Europe, and what I heard from you today pleased me," she said. "You are not a demon, but a brave president who defends his views."

Other delegates had different opinions. "Your president is a toxic virus of Czech politics," Cohn-Bendit told Czech reporters that week.

Despite the meeting's disciplinary tone, Klaus appeared to feel more justified in his views than ever as the delegation departed. Days later, he stepped down from his post as honorary chairman of the Civic Democrats, the party he founded, over conflicting views on the party's approach to EU issues. Meanwhile, one of his minions announced the founding of Libertas.cz, a Euroskeptic party purportedly aligned with Ganley's think tank.

As of this writing, the EU flag is still not fluttering above the castle.

Markéta Hulpachová can be reached at
features@praguepost.com