The Czech Republic's Constitutional Court has rejected a legal challenge to the Lisbon Treaty brought by 17 senators. This removes the final obstacle to Czech President Vaclav Klaus' putting his signature to the treaty.

The Czech Republic is the last country in Europe to ratify the treaty. A summit is now likely to be convened to settle appointments to a number of political posts created by the treaty, including an EU presidency.

Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende appeared to be in the running, but his Belgian counterpart Herman Van Rompuy now seems to the favourite. According to news agency AFP, all 27 EU member states have now rallied behind Mr Van Rompuy, who reportedly owes his support to his modest profile. Mr Balkenende's chances are said to have been harmed by the Dutch referendum 'no' vote against the European constitution in 2005.