Hungary's constitutional reforms spark debate over rule of law

Two recent Hungarian analyses examine the country's ongoing constitutional changes and their broader democratic implications. One piece discusses how a newly announced amendment can become part of the legal order, but notes that the presidential signature does not automatically settle all legal and constitutional questions. It highlights the limited scope of the Constitutional Court in reviewing substantive issues and the continued relevance of European bodies such as the Venice Commission and the European Court of Human Rights in shaping constitutional debate.

The second essay, authored by former MP Szekeres Imre, reflects on two decades of democratic backsliding in Hungary, drawing on a 2020 report prepared by the MSZP Advisory College. It assesses how institutions have been gradually weakened, how policy areas like the economy, education, health and local government have been affected, and raises concerns about the long‑term health of the rule of law in the Hungarian Republic.