Hidden behind the looming referenda in France and the Netherlands over the Constitution is a small political crisis in the Czech Republic. The Czech government cannot make up their mind on how to ratify the new treaty because the government and the opposition disagree about whether a one-off referendum should be held just to approve the Constitution or if referenda should be introduced as permanent legal instrument. The euroskeptic opposition also wants to have the referendum soon, while the government wants to tie it to the general election expected next year. Since the Constitution is expected to be approved by Czech voters, the opposition is clearly trying to take Europe out of domestic politics before the election. It is another unfortunate example of the tendency of political parties in Europe to minimize the debate over Europe and its effects on domestic political competition.
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