Hungary proposes Constitutional Court reforms amid independence concerns

The Tisza government is preparing a legislative amendment to regulate the operations of the Hungarian Constitutional Court following previous changes to the Fundamental Law. The proposed draft aims to restore certain powers to the court, such as the right to elect its own president, strengthen its budgetary independence, and reinstate the publication of decisions in the Hungarian Gazette.

However, the proposal has faced criticism from the Helsinki Committee, which argues that the draft does not sufficiently ensure the restoration of judicial independence. While the plan introduces a detailed application process for the presidency, it leaves the existing system for nominating and electing constitutional judges unchanged.

The court is facing a significant transition period due to a new 70-year age limit and a reduction of judicial terms from 12 to 9 years. As of September 1, four judges, including current president Péter Polt, will depart the court. Consequently, the Parliament must elect five new judges, and the court must select a new president from among its members. Ágnes Czine has been appointed as deputy president for the interim period, though her mandate expires on November 15.