PM tells daily proposed referenda legislation could not be used to call plebiscite on EU membership

Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka has told the Czech daily Právo that referenda legislation approved by the government last year, could not be used (if approved by Parliament and signed into law) in a vote on the EU as it did not account for existing international treaties. He added that a departure from the European Union by the Czech Republic was in no way in the country's interests. In his view, it would negatively impact the economy, creating economic instability which would pave the way for recession. Mr Sobotka also said that an exit from the bloc would impact young people, closing opportunities and leading to a brain drain of specialists heading abroad. Asked about euro adoption, Mr Sobotka made clear that was a question to be settled over the next five to 10 years.

EU membership has been in the headlines since June 23, when Great Britain unexpectedly voted to become the first member to leave the bloc, leaving its future in doubt. On the Czech domestic scene, Euro MP Petr Mach - a former protege of euro sceptic ex-president Václav Klaus - has reportedly signaled he would like to launch a Czexit campaign.

The head of state, Miloš Zeman, himself drew a quick response from the government last Friday when he said he personally would not be against a vote on continued EU membership, although he made clear he would certainly vote against leaving.

Author: Jan Velinger