Word: topolanek
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...vote followed accusations that one of Topolanek's aides had tried to pressure the Czech public television broadcaster to drop a program criticizing a former member of the opposition Social Democrats who had decided to back the coalition. But the toppling of Topolanek is not just a Czech issue. With the Czechs currently holding the presidency of the European Union, the consequences of this vote could resound far beyond Prague and deep into Brussels. (See pictures of Prague...
...Topolanek told the European Parliament on Wednesday that his departure would have "no impact" on the E.U. presidency. But he also warned that it could complicate negotiations. "Partners in Europe have grown used to us negotiating hard," he said. "In this sense it can happen that our position will be weakened...
...Topolanek says he does not want to maintain a caretaker government until June, when Sweden takes over the E.U. presidency. If none of the candidates for the new prime minister can secure a majority - a strong possibility in the split Czech parliament - early elections would have to be called, which would mean further distractions for the country supposedly shepherding the E.U. (Read: "'Old Europe' Wary as Czechs Take Over E.U. Presidency...
...insists it has "full trust" that the Czech Republic will continue to run the E.U. presidency smoothly. But officials in Brussels are nervous about the E.U. falling into limbo at such a critical moment. On Wednesday, German MEP Martin Schulz, who leads the European Parliament's Socialist group, accused Topolanek of undermining Europe. "Being here this morning shows that you are a fighter, but so far you haven't understood what the task of the presidency of the E.U. is," Schultz said...
Political uncertainty in Prague seems to have added to the unsteady leadership. In Tuesday's vote, Topolanek was defeated by the mainly center-left opposition, but he has also had to cope with sniping from his own president, Vaclav Klaus. Klaus has been outspoken about his criticisms of every aspect of the E.U., even telling the European Parliament last month that it was an elitist project comparable to Soviet-era dictatorships...