Topolánek toppled: loses vote of no confidence

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The European Commission said in a statement tonight:

“According to the treaties, the Council Presidency is held by the Member State which is represented by its competent governmental authorities under national constitutional law.

“The Commission has full trust that the national constitutional law allows for the Czech Republic to continue conducting the Council Presidency as effectively as it has done until now.

“It is for the Czech Republic's democratic process under the constitution to resolve the domestic political issues; the Commission is confident that this is done in a way which ensures the full functioning of the Council Presidency.”

Graham Watson, leader of the Liberal Democrat (ALDE) MEPs, said:

"I deeply regret that the socialist opposition and a few ODS rebels have thought it fit to bring down the government at a time when their country is steering the EU through a profound financial and economic crisis and days before the new US president arrives in Prague.

"The no-confidence vote will also further delay the ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty. It is vital, in the interests of Europe as a whole, that the Czech Republic fulfil its duties as Presidency-in-office and complete the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty."

Joseph Daul, leader of the centre-right EPP-ED MEPs, said:

"Europe needs strong leadership in this time of crisis, and a government holding the EU Council's presidency without confidence is not able to provide it.

"I strongly regret the decision taken today by the Czech socialist party to adopt the motion of non-confidence in the government, which undermines not only the stability of the Czech Republic, but also the success of the Czech presidency of the European Union.

"Depriving Europe of strong leadership at this time of crisis and jeopardising Europe's stability and reputation on the world stage is just not responsible."

Jo Leinen, spokesman for the Socialist MEPs on constitutional affairs, said:

"In spite of the lost confidence vote...the ratification of the Lisbon treaty has to be brought to a quick conclusion in the Czech senate. It cannot be that Europe is being held hostage by domestic political difficulties in one member state.

"It is a novelty in the history of EU presidencies that the government of the country holding the EU presidency is merely an interim one and politically incapable of action. This crisis situation shows more than ever the need for the Lisbon treaty, which provides for a long-lasting presidency instead of a six-month rotation."