Prague - Czech lawmakers Thursday asked the nation's Constitutional Court to review the European Union Reform Treaty, reflecting a euro-sceptic stance by Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek's party. The Senate voted 48-22 to have the high court rule whether the Lisbon Treaty is constitutional, a move that is expected to drag out the ratification process in the Czech Republic.
The proposal was initiated by Topolanek's right-wing Civic Democrats. Czech President Vaclav Klaus, who founded the party, is a treaty critic, but has pledged not to block its ratification.
EU leaders - including Topolanek - signed the treaty last December in a bid to streamline decision-making in the expanded 27-member bloc.
The treaty has passed parliaments in 11 EU countries: Denmark, Austria, Portugal, Slovakia, Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovenia, Malta, Romania and France.
Germany's lower house cleared the pact Thursday, with an upper- house vote set for May 23.
If all members approve the pact before year's end, its reforms are likely to be introduced during 2009.
Ireland is the only country planning a referendum on the treaty, scheduled for June 12.
