Czech leader on road to hell while great Dane heads for Nato

The Irish Times - Tue, Mar 31, 2009

"Czech leader on road to hell while great Dane heads for Nato

The differing fates of two EU leaders show personality still plays a key role in politics

SPECULATION ABOUT the fate of two prime ministers is gripping Brussels this week following Czech leader Mirek Topolanek’s spectacular fall from grace and Denmark’s Anders Fogh Rasmussen’s emergence as the clear favourite to become the next head of Nato.

The collapse of Topolanek’s government last Tuesday drew an almost uniform sigh of dismay and incredulity from other EU leaders, who are fearful of the debilitating effect it will have on the last three months of the Czech Republic’s presidency of the Union."

CBS News: E.U. President-Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek : U.S. Economy On Road "To Hell"

For the complete report from the CBS News click on this link

E.U. President-Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek : U.S. Economy On Road "To Hell"

Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek told the European parliament in Strasbourg that the Obama administration's stimulus package and financial bailout risked undermining the stability of the global financial market. "The U.S. Treasury Secretary, talks about permanent action and we, at our spring council, were quite alarmed by that. He talks about an extensive U.S. stimulus campaign. All of these steps, their combination and their permanency is a way to hell.

"We need to read history books and revisit the lessons taught by history," Topolanek said, taking the E.U. presidency on a collision course with Washington over the economic options to solve the world economic crisis. The prime minister made the comments as he briefed parliament on the outcome of the EU's recent summit in Horsham, England.

Times OnLine: EU presidency in turmoil after Mirek Topolanek Government collapse - by David Charter

For the complete report from the Times Online click on this link

EU presidency in turmoil after Mirek Topolanek Government collapse - by David Charter

The leadership of the European Union was plunged into disarray last night when the Government holding the rotating presidency collapsed after losing a vote of no confidence in the Czech parliament. Mirek Topolanek offered his resignation as Prime Minister, although he was expected to stay on to ensure continuity for the EU presidency, not least because he was due to represent Europe's non-G20 countries at next week's London Summit - and host Barack Obama when he visits Prague.