About: constitution
Azerbaijan referendum to give more powers to Aliyev
Azerbaijanis went to the polls today (26 September) in a controversial referendum on handing extra powers to long-serving President Ilham Aliyev, with opposition and human rights groups criticising the proposed constitutional changes as undemocratic.
EU ambassadors confront Thai junta over referendum fears
Nearly 20 EU ambassadors in Bangkok have confronted the military junta with their fears over the country’s forthcoming referendum on a new constitution.![Yves Bertoncini, director of Notre Europe [Parti socialiste/Flickr]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/07/yves_bertoncini_notre_europe_credit-parti-socialiste.jpeg)
New president, new ‘Constitution’?
Juncker's election might mark a new phase of European construction. But the Union's institutional, political and constitutional foundations need renovation, writes Yves Bertoncini.![Woman protesting on Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt [UN Women Rights/Flickr]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/06/egypt_tahrir_revolution_women_rights_credit-un-women-arab-states-flickr.jpeg)
EU will struggle to engage in Egypt
Egypt today is looking disturbingly similar to the country during its 'Mubarak years'. But does the EU have the influence and tools to counter this? Lisa Watanabe VideoPromoted content
Viktor Orban angry at EU’s criticism of Hungary’s democratic values
In an unusual visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban launched a sharp attack on MEPs after they criticized the state of democracy in Hungary. Orban strongly defended his government's record as the Parliament presented a report calling Budapest to remove constitutional changes that some claim limit democracy and basic rights in Hungary. He called the report 'politically motivated' and a 'threat to Europe'.Hungary’s critics should check their facts
Before liberal leader Guy Verhofstadt calls for Article 7 of the EU treaty to be applied against Hungary, he should check his facts, Enik? Gy?ri says in a commentary submitted to EURACTIV.
Icelanders back first ‘crowdsourced constitution’
Iceland residents voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new Constitution written by a Constitutional Council of 25 citizens who gathered feedback through social media.Will a new German constitution save the euro?
On 12 September Germany's constitutional court will issue a preliminary verdict on the European Stability Mechanism and the fiscal compact. Whatever the court does, the debate about a new, pro-European constitution will hot up this autumn. But do not be fooled: Germany is still a very long way from agreeing to eurobonds, says Katinka Barysch.The decline of democracy, the rise of dictatorship
The manoeuvres of the Hungarian Fidesz party to reconstruction national institutions has sunk the country into a deep political crisis. It is a sad example for the EU given the critical times that the bloc is going through, argue several influential Hungarians.Is Hungary’s new constitution really so outlandish?
The outcry of certain MEPs regarding the Hungarian constitution is unreasonable, writes David Fieldsend from CARE, as the provisions included are inextricably linked with the original European norms and values.
Brussels threatens to cut Hungary’s regional funds
Economic Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn yesterday (11 January) said Hungary is the sole country on the Commission’s excessive deficit ‘caution list’ and warned that cohesion funds could be frozen it if fails to trim its deficit.Hungary’s new constitution has freedom at its heart
Hungary's new constitution has freedom at its heart and strengthens the country's commitment to individual liberty, democracy and the rule of law in full conformity with European tradition, argues Hungarian MEP György Schöpflin (European People's Party), a member of his country's ruling Fidesz party, in an exclusive op-ed for EURACTIV.
Fidesz MEP: Hungary will have new constitution before Easter
The new Hungarian constitution will be adopted by mid-April, the week before Easter, Fidesz MEP József Szájer, vice-chair of the European People's Party and chairman of a group of three parliamentarians who are drafting the New Hungarian Constitution, told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview.
German plaintiff fears ‘self-surrender’ of Bundestag
The German Constitutional Court is currently looking into whether or not the Greek aid package was legal. Plaintiff Markus Kerber spoke to EURACTIV Germany about delays to the court ruling and possible implications for the German parliament.
Albania seeks way out from political stalemate
The Albanian government is doing everything it can to find a way out of the country's unprecedented political crisis, which sees the opposition boycotting parliament and prevents Tirana from advancing towards EU membership, Albania's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ilir Meta told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview.
Turkish opposition: No regrets over rejected constitutional amendment
Turkey's parliament rejected on 3 May a constitutional amendment to make it harder to ban political parties, upsetting the government's plans to reform a charter written during military rule in the 1980s. A representative of the main Turkish opposition party told EURACTIV in an interview that the rejected article would have boosted the authoritarian government.Treaty of Lisbon: A sustainable answer to constitutional questions?
The Treaty of Lisbon represents "another milestone" towards further EU integration in a journey which started over 20 years ago with the Single European Act, write Andreas Hofmann and Wolfgang Wessels of the University of Cologne in an article for 'Integration' magazine.
Interview: ‘Two-speed Europe means more choices’
With formal discussions on a new EU 'Reform Treaty' launched this week, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi says he is favourable to a two-speed Europe in order to prevent the less euro-enthusiast from setting the pace. He spoke to EURACTIV Slovakia about his desire for a stronger Union.