Mix of shock and delight greet result

DISAPPOINTMENT and shock were the reactions from European leaders to Ireland’s rejection of the Lisbon Treaty while groups opposed to it were delighted and demanding a complete re-negotiation of the deal.

The only country that came close to being happy with the Irish result was the Czech republic that could have problems approving it before the January deadline as its senate has submitted it to constitutional court for approval.

The Czech government, which is largely eurosceptic, will take over the rotating union presidency next January and has been preparing two programmes to deal with whether the new provisions of Lisbon come into force or not. Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Alexander Vondra, suggested the treaty is now dead and said, “If they vote no, I think legally it is pretty clear that each country must ratify the treaty before it could enter into force.”