EU presses for ratification of Lisbon treaty

The center right government of Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek is being forced to step down right in the middle of country’s term holding the European Union presidency. But Topolanek has assured the EU bloc that the domestic political crisis will have "no impact on the presidency". Hans Gert Pottering, President of the European Parliament, "Colleagues, we have noted the internal political situation in the Czech Republic and on behalf of all of you I would like to encourage the President of the EU Council to ensure that in his country and in other countries where work has to be done the ratification process for the Lisbon Treaty continues." Mirk Topolanek, Czech Prime Minister and EU Council President, “The reason for the early departure from the Chamber today as Mister Speaker said are obstructions from the opposition Social Democrats in the Czech Republic. That is something we confronted throughout our Presidency and had to put up with. This situation won't affect the Presidency. The sad fact is that the opposition Social Democrats is undermining the Presidency but I hope that the Presidency will be completed successfully."