Variations of €-scepticism: Czech vs. Danish Case[Variace €-skepticismu: český vs. dánský případ]

This contribution reflects the recent debate about a shift of the European integration towards the so-called fiscal union. "Fiscal pact", which was negotiated and signed by majority of European Union member states at the beginning of 2012 in order to stabilize the common currency, became the most controversial step of the EU in last years. The pact was not signed by the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic; the resting 25 countries joined the treaty. The authors aim to explore the reasons of different attitudes towards the fiscal pact of governments of two countries which are often considered as representatives of a eurosceptic current - the Czech Republic and Denmark. After an outline of sources and manifestations of party euroscepticism in selected cases, the text focuses on the debate about the attitudes of political elites towards the fiscal pact. The authors conclude that one of strong incentives for positive approach of the Danish government was its on-going presidency of the Council of the EU together with favourable conditions in inter-party relations. Contrary to this, the negative stance of the Czech government is nitrified by an effort of part of governmental parties to profile themselves as active euro-critical subjects on the right side of political spectrum. However, in both cases conflict within governmental blocks did not undermine coalitional loyalty and did not lead to overcoming of government vs. opposition line.