constitutional court

February 01, 2010, 10:00 CET

Fidesz removes MP from national list for comments on property tax

Fidesz is removing MP László Mádi from its national list as his stance on the property tax runs counter to its official position. Mádi, who was the party's housing policy expert, told a conference on Thursday that "following adequate planning... [read complete entry]

December 30, 2009, 11:07 CET

Ecology, culture seen as key issue dominating President's agenda in '09

The key topics addressed by Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom in 2009, his last full year in office, were the heritage of the 1956 revolution, the relationship between state and "cultural nation" and the necessity of an ecological change, head of... [read complete entry]

December 16, 2009, 12:14 CET

Constitutional Court annuls law on legislation, setting stage for 2011 showdown

Hungary's Constitutional Court announced on Tuesday that it had found the law on the order of legislation unconstitutional and annulled it with effect of December 31, 2010. Parliament failed to bring the law, which defines how legislation should be drawn... [read complete entry]

June 04, 2009, 09:32 CET

Jobbik party slogan deemed unconstitutional

The Jobbik party slogan "Hungary belongs to Hungarians" is unconstitutional, the National Election Commission (OVB) declared on Wednesday. A person had filed a complaint against the slogan, based on a passage in the Constitution which states that "National and ethnic... [read complete entry]

May 12, 2009, 08:55 CET

Constitution Court voids municipal ban on NATO radar project

The Constitutional Court has thrown out a municipal decision by the city of Pecs (S) thwarting a NATO radar construction project on nearby Tubes Hill, the press chief of the CC told MTI in a statement on Monday. The body... [read complete entry]

March 20, 2009, 10:46 CET

Standoff leaves Hungary's Supreme Court without leadership

Hungary's Supreme Court will be left without its top leadership after President Laszlo Solyom's refusal to appoint a new deputy chief justice, Nepszabadsag daily said on Friday.... [read complete entry]

March 20, 2009, 08:07 CET

Former supreme court chief urges tighter controls on "hate speech"

The former head of Hungary's supreme court urged the country's constitutional court on Thursday to commit itself against hate speech, at a conference on anti-Semitism in Budapest.... [read complete entry]

March 02, 2009, 01:28 CET

Gyurcsány says gov't to initiate amendment of Constitution on hate speech

Hungary's government will initiate amending the constitution to limit the freedom of expression by restricting racist expression, Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany told news portal Hirszerzo on Monday morning.... [read complete entry]

January 07, 2009, 08:50 CET

Gyurcsány says preventing civil unions curtails basic freedoms

The Hungarian Constitutional Court's recent thwarting of a new law legalising registered partnerships, including same-sex couples, is an interference with basic freedoms, Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany wrote in his internet blog on Tuesday.... [read complete entry]

January 06, 2009, 10:03 CET

Sólyom returns amended domestic violence bill

President László Sólyom on Monday sent the amended Restraining Act to the Constitutional Court for legal review, claiming that some of its provisions are unconstitutional.... [read complete entry]

December 17, 2008, 10:04 CET

Court dissolves Hungarian Guard, claiming right-wing group insults Roma minority

The Budapest Municipal Court dissolved the right wing paramilitary Hungarian Guard, which is registered as a "tradition supporting and cultural association," in a Tuesday evening decision.... [read complete entry]

July 10, 2008, 11:29 CET

Hungary's legal approach to "extreme" political speech now officially insane

So I'll try to keep this short, because if I think about it too much I'll probably have a nervous breakdown. As you may have heard, two interesting and potentially far-reaching court decisions were handed down on Tuesday regarding political... [read complete entry]

July 01, 2008, 09:21 CET

Constitutional Court rules against hate speech ban

The ruling was based off the decision that free speech would be too greatly restricted. [read complete entry]

June 17, 2008, 01:50 CET

New head for the Hungarian Constitutional Court

Péter Paczolay was elected to be the new chairman of the Constitutional Court following anonymous voting. [read complete entry]

May 21, 2008, 09:41 CET

Election Commission chairman says new health care referendum not needed

Proponents of new vote on multi-payer insurance system have already collected enough signatures to force referendum. [read complete entry]

April 10, 2008, 11:51 CET

Referendum on health care unlikely to be held this year

Backers of a new referendum which seeks to prevent the influx of private capital into Hungary's state administered healthcare system plan to submit the signatures they gathered later this week. [read complete entry]

March 03, 2008, 10:00 CET

Sólyom refuses to sign off on hate speech bill

President László Sólyom has sent the amended hate speech bill to the Constitutional Court for preliminary review, as he finds it unconstitutional. The bill was passed by Parliament on February 18. The bill specifies that a maximum two-year prison term... [read complete entry]

February 12, 2008, 09:41 CET

Parliament passes bill on multi-player health insurance, again

The government's controversial health bill has been passed for a second time despite protests and opposition indignation, and this time President László Sólyom can't send it back for review. [read complete entry]

January 29, 2008, 11:31 CET

HR State Secretary resigns following criticism of public sector reform

State Secretary responsible for Human Resources Gábor Szetey tendered his resignation on January 28, eighteen months after he took up the position, which he then called "the best job in the world." [read complete entry]

January 23, 2008, 09:12 CET

Constitutional Court clears way for Fidesz referendum

The Constitutional Court on Tuesday rejected individual-submitted objections to the December 17 parliamentary resolution ordering a Fidesz-Christian Democrat initiated referendum on banning visit, daily hospital and tuition fees, thus removing the referendum's final obstacle.... [read complete entry]

January 17, 2008, 11:35 CET

State President expected to set referendum date in February

A date for a referendum on the government's reforms may be decided as early as next month if the Constitution Court (AB) can investigate related complaints by the beginning of February, writes Magyar Nemzet. On Tuesday, the AB said that... [read complete entry]