In contrast with the atmosphere of broad agreement which permeated the summit ahead of next week's G20 meeting (EurActiv 18/09/09), Fischer's announcement caused tempers to flare as pro-Lisbon leaders sensed yet another threat to the treaty's uncertain future.
The constitutional complaint against the treaty, led by a group of senators loyal to President Václav Klaus, has been mooted since August 2009 (EurActiv 24/08/09), and could throw a major spanner in the works for EU leaders who wish to see the treaty ratified quickly in the event of an Irish 'yes' in October's referendum.
The complaint would follow along similar lines to that made in Germany (EurActiv 09/09/09), and could potentially lead to a delay of three to six months before President Klaus is legally compelled to sign its final ratification, Fischer told his peers.
According to sources, who did not wish to be named due to the sensitive nature of the issue, Fischer's announcement resulted in heated exchanges between leading EU heavyweights, many of whom were visibly angry at this latest twist in the ongoing Lisbon Treaty saga.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy in particular was said to have been furious at the news, and argued with Fischer in the presence of other heads of state.
Pro-Lisbon activists view the Czech senators' proposed complaint as a ploy by Václav Klaus – a long-time and vocal opponent of the treaty – to ensure that, even with an Irish 'yes', the treaty's final ratification is delayed long enough to allow general elections to take place in the UK in 2010.
The UK elections, widely expected to be won by David Cameron's Conservative Party, could lead to a referendum on the treaty in the UK – a ballot which would almost certainly lead to a strong 'no' in the traditionally Eurosceptic island nation.
Cameron has made a Lisbon referendum a central plank of his election campaign, and has promised to hold one as soon as he is elected should the possibility still exist.
Indeed, a leading Conservative MEP earlier this week told EurActiv that his party is hoping for precisely this outcome (EurActiv 16/09/09).
Fischer earlier this week called for the senators to make their complaint without delay, arguing that their stalling tactics were damaging the country's international reputation, but have yet to announce the exact date they will lodge the complaint.
