Hungary to change constitution ‘within weeks’

Three controversial laws expected to be amended.

A leading figure in the drafting of Hungary’s controversial constitution says that he expects the Hungarian government to amend within weeks three laws that the European Commission believes undermine the independence of the central bank, judiciary and data-protection ombudsman.

However, József Szájer, a centre-right MEP who chaired the committee that revised Hungary’s constitution, suggested yesterday (8 February) that Hungary will fiercely resist two EU demands.

The Commission has given Hungary until 17 February to set out how it plans to bring the constitution, which came into effect on 1 January, into line with EU law, or face legal proceedings.

Most of the changes will need the approval of Hungary’s parliament. Szájer said he expected the Hungarian parliament to agree to the changes within weeks. The governing party, Fidesz, holds two-thirds of the seats in the assembly.

Szájer said that Hungary was prepared to reverse a law giving a representative of the Hungarian government the right to attend meetings of the central bank’s monetary policy committee.

Another proposed change would see the prime minister lose the right to request the removal of the data-protection supervisor.

A third change would soften a clause that brought forward the retirement age of judges (to 62) and made retirement mandatory. Exceptions would be made on a case-by-case basis.

Opposition

Szájer said Hungary will take issue with two objections raised by the Commission. He said it will oppose any reversal of a clause capping the salary of the governor of the central bank.

Budapest will also insist that central-bank officials must swear an oath to serve Hungary. “We are ready to fight for that,” he said.

The European Parliament’s civil-liberties committee will hold a hearing today (9 February) on whether Hungary’s new constitution and recently passed laws are in line with the EU’s core democratic values. Civil-liberties groups and media organisations will give their views on the country’s political development and the effect of the new constitution on basic freedoms.