Brussels, 07/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - Czech President Vaclav Klaus is to depart the Czech political scene on Friday 8 March, to be succeeded by Milos Zeman. Klaus, a eurosceptic, has come to the end of his second five-year term of office at the head of the country. His political career was marked by very tough stances towards the European Union. It is without regret that Jo Leinen (S&D, Germany) says goodbye to him, saying that Klaus did more harm than good to Europe during his term. Leinen, moreover, has described Klaus' refusal to sign the Lisbon Treaty as a “a ridiculous theatre”. He hopes that Zeman will open up a “new chapter for a better understanding and a better relationship between the Czech Republic and the European Union”. (MD/transl.jl)