By Jan Lopatka
PRAGUE, Dec 30(Reuters) -The Czechs have a tough act to
follow when they take the helm of the European Union on Jan. 1
after French President Nicolas Sarkozy's energetic stint.
Facing the worst economic crisis in generations, a stalled
process to streamline decision-making, thorny ties with Russia,
and June European Parliament elections, many EU leaders say
strong leadership now is not a luxury but a necessity.
But unlike France, which under Sarkozy launched a string of
initiatives, albeit with mixed results, on issues such as the
economic crisis and climate change, the Czechs have been far
from the forefront of the drive for deeper integration.
Led by a weak, staunchly pro-U.S. minority government, the
ex-communist state of 10.4 million has not yet ratified the EU's
Lisbon reform treaty, is in no rush to adopt the euro currency
and is cautious on any shift of power to Brussels from the
national level.
Add to that the Czech president, Vaclav Klaus, who has made
EU-bashing one of his core topics and refuses to hoist the EU
flag at Prague Castle, and a picture of scepticism unfolds that
pundits say could cause problems when the EU needs them least.
"The fact that he holds these views makes it difficult to
run the presidency," said Robin Shepherd, senior fellow for
Europe at Chatham House, a London-based think-tank.
"Klaus is not the head of government ... but he is the
public face of the Czech Republic."
Klaus's position at home is mostly ceremonial. He does not
drive policy and will lead few events under the presidency.
But he is likely to snipe at what he sees as undemocratic
attempts to form a European superstate, as he did in a Christmas
Eve address when he said politicians like Sarkozy hurt Europe by
showing too little respect for individual states' sovereignty.
"I dare say that these people represent the height of
anti-Europeanism. They have absolutely no right to wave Europe
in front of our face," he told television Z1.
Klaus' big moment will be when he is expected to address
European Parliament in February and he may lead an EU-Russia
summit in March. Klaus has traditionally had better relations
with Moscow than the cabinet, which has angered Russia with its
plans to host a U.S. missile defence radar.
ROLE OF COORDINATOR
Another problem is that the Czechs' main policy driver,
centre-right Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, is at risk of
incessant no-confidence attacks from a hostile opposition.
But analysts say instead of Klaus, a key figure will be
Topolanek's deputy for European Affairs, Alexandr Vondra, who
sees the Czechs' role as bringing together the EU "big three" --
France, Germany, and Britain -- rather than driving sweeping
initiatives that were the hallmark of Sarkozy's tenure.
"Our strength could be in mediation. When the big three are
not on board, you have an opportunity to do that," Vondra said.
Charles Grant, director of the London-based Centre for
European Reform think tank, said with those countries taking a
lead role on major crises such as the Russia-Georgia conflict
and the European Commission on the economy, the Czechs' size or
inexperience need not lead to problems.
"There is some apprehension, but most of it revolves around
Klaus ... As long as it's really Vondra who calls the shots,
rather than Klaus, I think other governments will not be too
worried about the Czechs being in the driving seat," he said.
The Czechs have won some praise negotiating compromises.
They have mostly not dug in their heels on issues like some EU
newcomers and have abstained from veto threats in rows on such
issues such as this month's climate package.
On the economy, the Czechs -- who have suffered less than
most in western Europe from the global crisis -- will keep a
cautious tack, steering away from endorsing any pouring of
public funds into the private sector.
"Stimuli packages are important but must be short-term,
targeted, focused and within a long-term goal to have structural
reform," Vondra said.
