Zaorálek: Czech govt gives up on agreement with ČSSD on presidency

Prague, Nov 20 (CTK)- The government is not interested in reaching consensus with the opposition Social Democrats (CSSD) over the Czech EU presidency in the first half of 2009, though such draft agreement has already been prepared, lower house deputy head Lubomir Zaoralek (CSSD) said Thursday.

The information on the prepared agreement between PM and Civic Democrat (ODS) chairman Mirek Topolanek and CSSD head Jiri Paroubek, within which Paroubek was to become lower house chairman, has stirred up indignation of Topolanek's internal party critics, headed by Prague Mayor Pavel Bem who will run for ODS chairman against Topolanek at the ODS's December congress.

Zaoralek, who is one of the negotiators on the ODS-CSSD agreement, said he felt at the beginning that ODS wanted to reach agreement as soon as possible.

He added than he thinks the current stagnation was caused by the disputes in the ODS ahead of the election congress.

Zaoralek reiterated that the CSSD considers the ratification of the Lisbon treaty, the launching of talks on the euro adoption and measures against the impact of the world financial and economic crisis key conditions for an agreement with the ODS.

Zaoralek categorically denied that the filling of posts, such as Paroubek's becoming lower house chairman, was part of the agreement.

On the contrary, Topolanek and current Chamber of Deputies chairman Miloslav Vlcek (CSSD) mentioned it.

Zaoralek said the Social Democrats were willing to agree with the government, comprising also the junior ruling Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL) and the Greens (SZ), on the key topics of EU presidency.

However, he added, the government is passive so there is a risk of the Czech EU presidency being reduced to procedural and formal acts.

Zaoralek also criticised the fact that the current cabinet and Topolanek allegedly based Czech foreign policy on Russophobia, which, he said, is in contradiction with the trend of the EU that recently resumed dialogue with Russia.

This attitude pushes the Czech Republic aside European politics, and under such conditions cooperation with the government is difficult for the CSSD, Zaoralek said.

The ODS should make it clear whether it really cares for cooperation with the CSSD during the EU presidency or not, Zaoralek said.