Journal # Topalek speaks for the European Parlament # 25.03.2009 19 UTC

The president of the European Union has called Washington's plans to spend its way out of recession as "a road to hell." Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolahnek, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, says President Barack Obama's massive stimulus package "will undermine the liquidity of financial markets." A day after his government collapsed following a vote of no-confidence, Topolanek put the EU on a collision course with Washington. But at the same time he reassured other member states that Prague will firmly continue its leadership role. +++SYN-MAZ+++