Czech mate for Topolanek Government

7.00.00pm GMT Tue 24th Mar 2009

Commenting this evening from the European Parliament in Strasbourg on the vote of no-confidence in the Czech Government in Prague, Graham Watson, ALDE group leader said:

"Though not an apologist for the current Czech government, I deeply regret that the socialist opposition and a few ODS rebels have thought it fit to bring down the government at a time when their country is steering the EU through a profound financial and economic crisis and days before the new US President arrives in Prague.

The no-confidence vote will also further delay the ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty. It is vital, in the interests of Europe as a whole, that the Czech Republic fulfil its duties as Presidency-in-office and complete the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty."