Czech president sparks MEP walk-out

Members of the European Parliament walked out in protest on the 19 February 2009 after Vaclav Klaus, the Czech Republic President, said the institution suffered a 'democratic deficit' and likened its workings to those of eastern Europe during the communist era. He accused the European Parliament of contributing to a sense of political alienation among EU citizens.

BBC News, 19.2.09: Czech leader scorns EU politics http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7898981.stm

France24, 20.2.09: Klaus 'not ready' to approve Lisbon Treaty http://www.france24.com/en/20090219-klaus-not-ready-approve-lisbon-treaty-czech-republic-parliament-eu

EurActiv, 20.2.09: Czech president attacks supporters of EU integration http://www.euractiv.com/en/priorities/czech-president-attacks-supporters-eu-integration/article-179625

European Parliament: Speech of the President of the Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus in the European Parliament, 9 February 2009 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/eplive/expert/multimedia/20090126MLT47169/media_20090126MLT47169.pdf

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