Lisbon Treaty: current position
Much is being written about ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. It might be useful to summarise the current position.
The premise upon which it is believed possible that the Irish can be asked to vote a second time early next year is that the other 26 Member States will have ratified the Lisbon Treaty.
There are currently three question marks: Germany, Czech Republic and Poland.
Germany
The President has unsurprisingly stated that he will not sign the ratification instrument until the Constitutional Court has cleared the new treaty – which it is expected to do later this year.
Czech Republic
The Constitutional Court will rule later this year. As yet, there is not a clear parliamentary majority in favour and the vociferous presidential voice of Vaclav Klaus is against, but a possible deal is envisaged under which the treaty and the US anti-missile installation will be agreed at the same time.
Poland
Parliament has approved. President Lech Kaczynski now says that he will sign if the Irish are on board.
Thus, what happens in the Czech Republic could well be the key to a solution.
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