Poland will ratify Lisbon Treaty if Ireland does

Poland's President Lech Kaczynski (photo) declared that he will only ratify the Lisbon Treaty if Ireland also ratifies it, with the approval of the people in a new referendum.

He said if Ireland would make another decision, but not under pressure, and without changing its Constitution, then Poland will not place a block on the treaty, because the Polish parliament has already approved it. However, in order to become legal and be accepted by Poland, the signature of the President is needed.

On Tuesday Lech Kaczynski, who is considered a Eurosceptic, said that "ratifying the treaty after Ireland's rejection would be pointless".

Last month the President of the Czech Republic, Václav Klaus, also expressed his reservation and said he would not sign the treaty "at this time". (see my entry from June 17th)

The Czech Constitutional Court is currently examining the Lisbon Treaty, checking if it is compatible with the Czech Constitution.

So after all the threats, warnings and pictures of doom that leaders of the Irish YES campaign had rolled out before the referendum, it appears that Ireland is not alone after all and even seen by considerable groups of EU citizens, as well as some leading politicians, as the saviours of the democratic spirit for the EU.

Well done, Ireland! And thank you, President Kaczynski and President Klaus!

The Emerald Islander