Czech Republic to Rule Over the EU
Although the middle of an economical crisis isn't the best time to take responsibility for anything, on January 1 the Czech Republic will be assuming the presidency of the European Union. For the very first time in history, an ex-Soviet bloc country will lead the European Community.
Everything would seem perfect if Czech president Vaclav Klaus hadn't brought up an inconvenient part of European history, when Czechoslovakia was partitioned and partially "given" to Germany. Klaus stated that the Czech rule over the EU will be insignificant, as the only countries that have anything to say in Europe are Germany, Great Britain, Italy and France.
What's more, the Czech Republic's objection to introducing the euro may also be a strong argument for some independent observers. They already said being out of the euro zone won't help the Czech rule in the time of global recession.
Czech cautious policy towards the EU shouldn't be a surprise. 40 years under Soviet Union rule wasn't really the country's "golden age". As many former Soviet bloc countries do, it feels more affectionate towards the United States than Europe.
What will be the Czech rule like? We can all do just one thing: wait and see...