Bizzare of Czech politics at times of EU presidency

It is a bizzarre world looking at it from Prague in these days. We have a historical chance to "play a big politics" as head of EU, meanwhile in our newsroom over heads we hear stupid debate of our deputies in parliament about Lisbon treaty, about party differencies and at the same time the world headlines are about Iran launching satellite. This is a big politics meanwhile Czech socdem opposition refuses to support foreign missions of Czech army and wants a trade-off for domestic issues.

Provinciality of Czech politics hurts. During last few years we - liberal journalists - had feeling that at least for foreign policy we could be proud of our government, defending Cuban dissidents or making issue of energy security of THE ISSUES inside the EU. Now, when we can proof some of our qualities, our politicians became a sacrifices of internal quarreling, weak government is blackmailed by opposition.

Looking back at my previous blog entry, my pessimism goes deeper and deeper: there is lack of political leadership at times of crises. As far as I know about development in other postcommunist countries, our situation is not better or worse - it is bad as bad is political stalemate in Hungary (look at interesting interview with oppositon leader Viktor Orban, who is going to be next prime minister in Financial Times), as Slovak populism or nice talks about reform without action in Donald Tusk's Poland. Our, Czech, specifics is that we are exposed to the attention of Europe because of EU presidency.
Today's debate in Czech parliament about Lisbon treaty hurts, result is not clear. This parliament session is supposed to have about 230 points. Lisbon treaty is the first one and debate goes on for fifth hour. The most probable result will be postponing vote in Lower Chamber.