When constitutional controversy hits the headlines, you can be sure that the Council of Europe’s legal advisory group – the Venice Commission – is an important port of call.
The Hungarian Parliament passed a fourth amendment to its constitution that sparked criticism this month from Strasbourg and Brussels to Washington DC – and provoked protest in Budapest.
This latest change to Hungary’s “Fundamental Law” seems to curb the powers of Hungary‘s top court and reintroduce contentious measures its judges had rendered void in recent months.
In a joint statement following its passage, Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso said the amendment raises concerns with respect to the principle of the rule of law, EU law and Council of Europe standards. All eyes are now set on the Venice Commission, after Secretary General Jagland requested an opinion from its experts on Hungary’s constitutional change.
MMA countdown – Free Artists welcomes the resigned MMA-members!
TRANSZPARENCIÁT!