an Atlanticist and Eurosceptic pure juice

Should we be afraid of the Czech Republic Can be without fear, January 1, go to Prague the relay of the rotating Presidency of the European Union It is permissible to doubt when, from the heights of its imposing Castle of Prague, such a Zeus from the top of the Olympus, the head of State, Vaclav Klaus, not rate not an opportunity of tonner against Europe, even to say that it will never close the blue flag star on his residence.

A little below, along the banks of the Vltava River, the beautiful and romantic capital which now occupies one first places in the heart of tourists Europeans but contrast rantings of the old President. On all official buildings wisely fleet the European flag. Of the "Brave soldier Chveik", the classic of Jaroslav Hasek, it remains sociable and arrangeant. Moderation is granted the rank of national specialty, as we learned over the centuries to not resist... to have a chance to survive. With seriousness and professionalism, Prague pursue actively his responsibilities as showcase for this "small model of competitiveness" and that "economy among the world's most open" rented by the experts.

Here, in Europe, it is little issue, even on the eve of the Presidency. A hint of provincialism very centered on privacy is combined to the lack of education of the Government on the Union and Frank detestation of the Czechs against the political class. "For us, the EU, it is not clear." "It's just a matter of dispute between politicians," dropped Karel, a young computer scientist. A perceived as distant Europe, "a little too regulatory and a little too much governed by major countries", stressed Lukash Pashta, young researcher at the Europeum Institute. In October, the outcry caused by the French President who suggested that the Eurogroup might provide one year of the economic direction of the Union in the financial storm has fizzled. "Nicolas Sarkozy proposals finally did not the subject of debate, unlike famous statements by Chirac on the new EU members which"would better is to shut up", at the time of the invasion of the Iraq in 2003", noted Petr Drulak, Director of the Institute of international studies in Prague. Indeed, the visit of the Prime Minister, Mirek Topolanek, to the Elysee Palace on 30 October quickly ended the incident.

At Prague, it knows perfectly well that Brussels and other European capitals, questioned the ability of these "rouspéteurs" euroskeptic and Atlanticist to lead a Union facing a global financial crisis and economic recession likely during the next six months. It is clear that Europe is wary of a partner which appears to be the last square of the ultralibéraux in a period of return of the social and the interventionism of State; a partner who has also still not ratified the Treaty. But the Czechs really Eurosceptics If simple step.

Allergy to the external constraints

As the famous Charles Bridge, the doubt is Czech Republic a legacy of history. "Successively subject to the autro-Hungarian Empire, Nazism and communism, the country became skeptical and allergic to external constraints, explains an intellectual in Prague. A directive from Brussels is still felt as if it came from Vienna and Moscow, and it is normal that recent sovereignty creates a bit of leadership. This Euro-scepticism has however nothing to do with a right-wing extremism. It is Czech-centred but not xenophobic, more defensive than offensive. "Dissidents Czechs who were"fed"by the United States,"it is naturally turned early in the transition to the British, and American neo-liberalism which gradually turned into Euroscepticism", adds Czech political scientist Michel Perottino, of Prague Cefres (French Social Science Research Centre). A posture that more easily took the country "is more the economy by the State and politics," said an economist.

"Power of nuisance" of the President

Is not yet clear what will, in the Presidency of the Union, the official role of the thunderous President without being able, "to the German", alongside his discreet Prime Minister. But Vaclav Klaus already leads the dance. "A Eurosceptic militant and aggressive, and even a europhobic, a class apart in Czech Republic", says Jacques Rupnik, Ceri-Sciences po is Europe specialist. It only sees and hears that the provocateur, who denies to climate change. "He is much shots on our country", said Adam Cerny, columnist for the daily economic newspaper "hospodarke noviny".

Ultra-liberal Economist trained in the United States, the Czech President dedicated a cult to Margaret Thatcher. "For him, Europe is a Socialist project," says Petr Drulak. In the eyes of Klaus as in those of the more Eurosceptic ODS, the ruling party, which he founded in 1991 on the model of the British Conservative Party, it is not question of a "European power", but a simple "European market" purely intergovernmental. With a recurring argument: in the Union as it emerges, the big countries become larger and smaller small. The dream of Vaclav Klaus Transforming the EU into a simple "organisation of European States." "Our model, this is EFTA European Free Trade Association," confirms one of its close ideologues, Petr Mach, young Director of the "think tank" liberal CEP. For these Eurosceptics, the Union remains, however, a mandatory, because democratic label and assurance of economic future. Which does not prevent Klaus to be a true nationalist, with the nation to impassable horizon, and to refuse the same time the Treaty of Lisbon and a euro yet claimed by business.

Despite the extreme populist is also popular, because "he held without interruption the front of the political scene for nearly twenty years: he was Minister of finance, President of the Parliament, Prime Minister, then President of the Republic", said Petr Drulak. In the end, "his power of nuisance will be terrible" over the next six months.

A political class "euroréaliste".

The position of the rulers towards Europe can be summed up in the joke of a diplomat: "more on casts wide, less will deep.". Yes to the Union, therefore, but the broader and less integrated. Because the political face of the country is a true puzzle which condemns the "Eurorealist". Under the direction of the Prime Minister, the ruling coalition mixes Eurosceptics (ODS) and pro-Europeans (Christian-Democrats and green). But, paradoxically, the electors of the ODS, rather young, liberal and satisfied with the economic boom brought by the Union, are... europhiles. Conversely, the direction of the Socialist opposition is pro-European, base, modest and older, is... somewhat Eurosceptic. Proof by nine that Europe remains very marginal in the national political debate! For proof, just go to the Ministry of European Affairs, housed in a wing away from the House of the Government, giving the visitor the impression arrive anywhere.

The Czechs, however, are not all in tune with their President, far from it: according to polls, two-thirds of them are even happy with the Union. "We left talk", summarize students, also quite ignorant of Europe and few tempted by emigration, in contrast to young people from neighbouring countries. Individualistic, consumerist after years of communism, they know that the Czech Republic come to the forefront of European aid per capita and like the Union for the well-being that it brings them, not for its great political visions.

"It should not be the black sheep".

Upon arrival, the future Czech presidency will have to deal with this mosaic. A post of Deputy Prime Minister responsible for European Affairs has already been created, and assigned to Alexandr Vondra... an Atlanticist and Eurosceptic pure juice. But "The Czechs have seriously prepared for their task alongside the French Presidency and the Swedish Presidency, who will succeed them", stressed in European circles. "They went from zero, but they themselves are moved recognizes Monika Pajerova, a large figure of student and pro-European struggles convinced." But it should not expect a very inspired Presidency.

At Prague, it is low-profile. As if one doubted its ability to "ensure", have already done other small countries: Slovenia, Ireland or Luxembourg. "We are not a superpower, and it is not to be the black sheep of the community," reassures Alexandr Vondra, breezily overturned in her wheelchair. "We want to work in the European consensus, continuing the work begun." The European Parliament will cease to sit in March, before the June European, and the Commission will complete its mandate at the end, is therefore not the time to be revolutionary. In this period, it is like walking a very fine ice or swimming in stormy waters: one must be careful. "Our tool, this will be the lime nail, not the hammer", he says. Humility contrived to preserve a good surprise on arrival Or for better not do to his head