About: Venice Commission
Take back parliamentary control
The accountability of the European Commission to the directly elected Parliament is at a low point in history, and Parliament’s current leadership is completely neglecting its scrutiny role. It is time for a change, writes Sophie In't Veld.
Stakeholders: Human capital and green transformation are key for Kazakhstan
Investment in human capital, green transformation, and attention on human rights is essential for the further successful development of Kazakhstan, stakeholders at a recent forum in Nursultan said.
Kazakhstan and the Venice Commission
The Council of Europe’s Venice Commission has provided precious support to the process of constitutional and legislative change in Kazakhstan, writes Igor Rogov.
MEPs grill Romania’s government in absentia
Procedural problems prevented Romanian Justice Minister Tudorel Toader from addressing the European Parliament's plenary session on Wednesday (7 February) and explaining the government’s current judiciary reforms, which many MEPs see as a threat to the rule of law.
Venice Commission active on Poland, expects the same from Warsaw
The Venice Commission is waiting for the response of the Polish government regarding the sent draft opinions on the reform of the judiciary in Poland, as well as for confirmation that a representative of the Polish government will participate in the next plenary session of the Commission. EURACTIV Poland reports.
‘Nuclear option’ against Poland?
MEPs will on Wednesday (15 November) discuss and adopt a resolution on the rule of law in Poland. The draft contains a request for the EP's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs to prepare a report - the first step towards initiating the infringement procedure of Article 7 against the country. EURACTIV Poland reports.
Ukraine ambassador: Hybrid war is not only in Ukraine, it’s across Europe
In a wide-ranging interview, Ukraine's Ambassador to the EU, Mykola Tochytskyi, discussed his country’s EU agenda, the upcoming Eastern Partnership summit, the sensitive relations with Russia and the new language law which has antagonised Hungary.
Hungary’s law calls for more transparency for NGOs receiving foreign money
In a recent EURACTIV.com interview, the director of the George Soros-funded European Policy Institute makes the incorrect claim that Hungary’s new legislation on NGO transparency is “discriminatory” and is closing the space for dissenting opinions, writes Zoltán Kovács.
Dashing Turkey’s EU hopes is the wrong answer
Following Turkey’s constitutional referendum many were quick to announce the end of democracy in Turkey. But Laura Batalla Adam argues that this is a narrow and incomplete reading of the results.
Commission ‘seriously concerned’ about Turkish constitutional changes
The European Commission highlighted the “serious concerns” expressed by the Council of Europe on Monday (13 March) over the amendments to the Turkish Constitution which are due to be voted on in the 16 April referendum.
Council of Europe tells Turkey to restore MP’s inviolability
In its first opinion on Turkey after the failed coup d’état on 15 July 2016, the Council of Europe called today (17 October) on restoring the inviolability of members of parliament, which was infringed by an amendment of the constitution introduced last April.
Poland seeks to reassure allies over rule of law as NATO summit starts
Poland's government rushed an amended version of its constitutional court reforms through parliament yesterday (7 July), apparently in an effort to reassure its Western allies over the issue hours before a NATO summit opens in Warsaw.
Poland’s constitutional conundrum…explained
Like other European nations, Poland will remain a source of conflicting messages in years to come. But the EU has nothing to worry about – the democratic government in place can be removed in a peaceful manner next time people come to vote, writes Piotr Macej Kaczyński.
MEPs rap Poland over rule of law
MEPs passed today (13 April) a non-binding resolution, calling on the Polish authorities to restore the ability of Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal to uphold its Constitution and guarantee respect for the rule of law.
Poles launch campaign against court reform
Tens of thousands of Poles took to Facebook Thursday (10 March) to support the country's top court in a constitutional battle against the right-wing government.
Parliament divided over Hungary’s democratic record
Members of the European Parliament failed to unite behind a report calling on Budapest to remove a constitutional amendment that critics say restricts democracy and basic rights in Hungary. EURACTIV reports from Strasbourg.Venice Commission: An unbiased criticism of Hungary
The Venice Commission of the Council of Europe is an essential tool to examine the controversial laws in Hungary in an unbiased way, argues Françoise Pons from Club Grande Europe.