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Hungarian Constitution: Another unfounded, politically motivated attack

Hungarian Constitution: Another unfounded, politically motivated attack

2011. 04. 15.

The Hungarian draft constitution is built upon common European traditions and values; on the respect of human dignity and freedom rights and on the principles of democracy and rule of law. This document of European spirit incorporated the achievements of the Lisbon Treaty and stands up for European integration and unity.

The new Hungarian constitution replaces the current constitution which was extorted in the Stalinist communist era in 1949. The draft's register on basic rights is based on the Charter of Fundamental Rights; however, some rights are protected even more than the Charter recommends. The draft – unlike the current one – recites the basic rights in the beginning of the document and despite the accusations: it does not ban abortion and does not trigger irredentism. The draft declares the principle of separation of powers.

The new constitution contains forward-looking guidelines in the field of economic constitutionalism and lays special emphasis on the respect of future generations and sustainable development. The draft limits the extent of state debt and sets guarantees so that the government cannot exceed certain indebtedness criteria and waste certain resources.

The remarks of Guy Verhofstadt about the power of the constitutional court are clear precedents of using double standard. Namely, that he was for many years prime minister in a country, where the rights of the constitution court-like institution are much more narrow than the rights set out in the current, and even in the draft Hungarian constitution. Belgium has neither an ombudsman responsible for minorities nor one for future generations, while the two Hungarian deputy ombudsmen will keep on providing legal protection in these areas.

Creating a new constitution has been on the agenda for 20 years in Hungary, while the creation of the draft was preceded by a comprehensive social consultation. On last year's parliamentary elections the Hungarian citizens authorized the governing parties to create a new constitution and to renew the country, and by inflicting a diminishing defeat on the social-liberal forces the Hungarians unambiguously refused their corrupt and extreme-liberal politics.

Constitutionalism is part of national sovereignity, which fact was also declared by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso last week in Strasbourg. The Hungarian EPP Delegation, as a political force founded in the battle for Hungary's democratic transition during the repressive communist era, believes in democracy and respect the freedom of thought. Nevertheless we extensively refuse the unfounded accusations made by Mr Verhofstadt today.