December 17, 2008. Copyright 2008, Graphic News. All rights reserved Why Vaclav Klaus won't fly the EU flag at Prague Castle By Joanna Griffin LONDON, December 17, Graphic News:— For ardent supporters of the European Union, it couldn't come at a worse time. With the EU struggling to regain momentum, its rotating presidency is about to be handed to the Czech Republic whose president Vaclav Klaus is an ideological foe of much it represents. Klaus has already caused a storm by praising Ireland's rejection of the Lisbon Treaty on further integration, and criticising France's Nicholas Sarkozy's ambitious efforts while at the EU helm. But [there are serious concerns that the fiery Czech could obstruct attempts to make progress on solving the economic crisis and decisions on expanding EU powers. Controversial though he is, Klaus still enjoys wide support in the Czech Republic, where he took over the presidency in 2003. An avowed free marketer and loyal fan of Margaret Thatcher, he portrays himself as a lone defender of liberty from troublesome over-regulation. However, he has been praised for his political skills while serving his country. Born on June 19, 1941, Klaus trained as an economist -- his nickname is "Mr Professor" -- and worked for the Czechoslovakian central bank before becoming finance minister of the first post-communist government after the 1989 Velvet Revolution. He is credited with strengthening the Czech economy as prime minister from 1992-1997, and with presidingÏ over the peaceful separation of the country into two separate states. As the Czech Republic prepares to take the EU baton from France, tensions have been rising within the government over the line it will take: Klaus has resigned as honorary chairman of the Civic Democratic Party, which he helped to found, over disagreements about the Lisbon Treaty, which Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek intends to ratify. Although official EU duties will fall to Topolanek, there are fears that the outspoken Klaus could cause embarrassment by airing his views on, for example, global warming, which he has dismissed as a myth, or even reiterating his call for the entire EU to be scrapped. /ENDS