The Czech presidency is a largely ceremonial post, though the president plays an important role in foreign policy and government formation, according to Sean Hanley, an analyst at University College London.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Refusing to appoint Commissioner Topolanek or Commissioner Vondra, or re-appoint Commissioner Spidla (to cite the three names regarded as favourites for the post of the next Czech commissioner), would smack of collective punishment.

ECONOMIST: European politics

As president, he will represent the Czech Republic abroad and appoint candidates to the constitutional court and the central bank, but the post does not carry much day-to-day power.

BBC: Czech election: Milos Zeman wins presidential poll

Okay, things just got serious over ACTA. In our post on Latvia bailing on signing ACTA, we noted that in joining with Poland and the Czech Republic, these were still much smaller European states, and unlikely to have too much of an impact.

FORBES: Germany Won't Sign ACTA, At Least Not Yet