Main focus of Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Orbán consolidates power base

Hungary's parliament adopted a new constitution on Monday on the strength of the two-thirds majority held by the governing alliance. The constitution is hardly based on a broad social consensus and only consolidates the power of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, some commentators write. Others believe it will allow the country to be better governed.

Sme - Slovakia

The new Hungarian constitution is not based on the will of the majority, writes the liberal daily Sme: "The adoption of the constitution put a symbolic end to the year-long seismic shift in the Hungarian political landscape. With its two-thirds majority Fidesz has turned the constitutional foundation of the state inside out. According to former president László Sólyom, who is among the most respected experts on constitutional law, the country has taken a big step backwards although it remains a European democracy. ... In a democracy, even a qualified majority requires a broad consensus. Certainly, Orbán invited the opposition - and even the citizens - to make suggestions, but that was nothing but a farce. It is doubtful that this kind of revolution reflects the will of the majority of Hungarians." (19/04/2011)

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All available articles from » Peter Schutz

La Repubblica - Italy

Europe is not interested in Hungary's new constitution and is thereby ignoring a violation of constitutional principles, the left-liberal daily La Repubblica writes: "God, the fatherland and national pride. The state defines itself in national and ethical terms and no longer as a republic. Less power for the constitutional court, more power for the government over the judiciary and the media. The authoritarian Europe of the 1920s and 1930s is apparently making a comeback in the shape of the new constitution of a country that currently holds the rotating EU presidency and is a member of Nato. And the EU, which imposed sanctions against Austria when Jörg Haider obtained seats in the Viennese parliament even though no laws were changed, today remains silent. With the new constitution adopted by the Hungarian parliament at the behest of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Europe is moving away from the fundamental values of the constitutional state." (19/04/2011)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Domestic Policy, » Hungary, » Europe
All available articles from » Andrea Tarquini

Magyar Nemzet - Hungary

Hungary's new constitution enjoys broad public support, writes the conservative daily Magyar Nemzet, which has close ties to the government: "The radical criticism that has been levelled at the new constitution and the constitutional assembly is barely justified. Instead of using sensible arguments the critics of the new constitution have churned out the same radical phrases again and again. ... For certain, the constitution was passed by a party alliance [Fidesz-KDNP]. However this alliance represents [with its two-thirds majority] a broad societal basis that is without precedent in Hungary's history. ... For the first time in Hungary's history a constitution has been drafted in a way that is democratic beyond all doubt."  (19/04/2011)

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All available articles from » Szabolcs Szerető

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung - Germany

The constitution drafted by Hungary's conservative government will form the basis for efficient politics, the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung notes approvingly: "To Western observers the preamble may seem old-fashioned, but for the great majority of Hungarians living in the country as well as those in neighbouring countries 'the national creed' and 'the Holy Crown of Hungary' are values that are just as constitutional as explicit references to God and Christianity or the notion that marriage and family are the cornerstones of society and state. Nowhere else do we find indications that the changes are 'not in harmony with Europe's fundamental values', as Orbán's opponents claim. On the contrary, there are several articles that make the rather vague constitutional laws more clear and therefore create the basis for more efficient governance. This is likely to benefit Hungary as a whole, which has sunk from its former status as leader of the reform countries to the level of a lagging EU member, as well as the governments which come after Orbán, even those of different political colours." (19/04/2011)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Hungary
All available articles from » Reinhard Olt

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