The 'ceremonial' president

Foreign news reports about the chances of ratifying the Lisbon treaty in the CR often note that although Václav Klaus's duties are primarily ceremonial, his signature is in fact needed on the document. According to one theory, Václav Klaus planned his recent hip operation for when such "ceremonial" events as visits to Prague by Nicolas Sarkozy and Condoleezza Rice were taking place so that he could be in tip-top condition for the truly important work that is to be done in the coming months. Whether it is the Kroll report on Jiří Čunek's finances, the EU reform treaty, or nuclear power, the Topolánek government is heading for a breakdown. If and when it happens, Klaus will turn ceremony on its head and take on the most important task of his second term in office: Appointing a new PM and regaining control of the country. That's not something one wants to do on a weak pelvis. [Czech Republic European Union France United States radar]