March 29th, 2011

Constitutional court head calls for restoration of full powers

There is not even a temporary reason for curbing the Constitutional Court’s right to review all laws passed by Parliament, court president Peter Paczolay told President Pal Schmitt in Budapest on Monday.

The court’s right to examine whether or not a law complies with the constitution is a key guarantee for Hungary’s constitutional order, Paczolay said, reiterating the position he had expounded in Parliament earlier.

Schmitt expressed hope that the powers of the Constitutional Court would not be limited and that the new supreme law would protect the rights of people for generations.

Earlier on Monday the governing Fidesz-Christian Democratic party alliance proposed that the top court should have its full powers restored over financial affairs once the public debt falls to below 50 percent of gross domestic product.

Parliament curbed the powers of the Constitutional Court on budget-related laws late last year after the top court had annulled a law that imposed a 98 percent tax on severance payments.

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9 Comments

  1. Paul says:

    That’s one soon to be unemployed Constitutional Court President joining the ever-expanding list of The Dear Leader’s Undesireables

  2. Viking says:

    the top court should have its full powers restored over financial affairs once the public debt falls to below 50 percent of gross domestic product

    Not likely to happen for many years
    Also the Constitutional Court is not allowed to punish/stop the Government/Parliament when it accepts new budgets that overshoots this 50%-target, that is in the Constitution
    So we are back to the old order, only the voters can punish any politicians
    Not so many new things, except some uninteresting talk of Christian values and that a marriage is between man and woman
    So, in the end of the day, how does this new Constitution make it better for Hungary?
    Especially for those that are married Christian church-goers, which is a threatened minority in Europe?

  3. spectator says:

    “the top court should have its full powers restored over financial affairs once the public debt falls to below 50 percent of gross domestic product”
    - My problem with this idiocy isn’t the matter of the national debt level, but the fact that the government actually going to get a license to override the Constitution.
    Whenever they wish they can make law against the Constitution, nobody can object.
    Otherwise if something is against the Constitution, it indeed is, either the debt 49- or 51 percent!
    The Great Leader once again managed to show a total ignorance, regarding law and democracy.
    To him the end always justify the means, might always right, etc.
    Welcome to Orbanistan!

  4. Leto says:

    Hey, SZDSZ-cretin! Just stay away from “Orbanistan” and then everybody, including yourself, will be much better off.

  5. spectator says:

    Dear (F)Leto, you wouldn’t believe, how gladly I’ll take your advice..!
    You know, I CAN stay away at will.
    How about you?

  6. Leto says:

    Come on, SZDSZ-cretin, you’re not taking my advice… If you took it then you’d just try to forget about Hungary altogether or the fact, which is undoubtedly an unfortunate one for you (that’s so typical of your kind, loser!), that you happen to be born Hungarian. Instead of actually taking my advice you’re just spewing your bad fumes about ‘Orbanistan’. Do relax, don’t keep looking back, SZDSZ-cretin, just enjoy the foreign place wherever you are. Believe me, you’ll benefit, too, if you do take my advice, not only “Orbanistan”.

  7. spectator says:

    How typical your reaction, dear (F)Leto…
    Fit to your master excellently, just as civilized.
    Congratulations!

  8. Leto says:

    Szívesen.
    You’re welcome.
    Avec plaisir.
    Gerne geschehen.
    Ничего, пожалуйста.

  9. Viking says:

    and ‘leto’ did have one single post on this thread handling about the content of the thread or the article, just attacking other posters
    So typical