Hungary's Opposition Groups Agree On Steps Towards A New Constitution

  • 4 Jan 2013 8:00 AM
Hungary's Opposition Groups Agree On Steps Towards A New Constitution
Opposition organisations agreed in Wednesday talks that a new constitution is needed, as the present Basic Law lacks social and substantive legitimacy, Socialist MP Gergely Barandy told reporters.

Barandy described as successful the discussion on constitutional matters attended by the Democratic Coalition, Together 2014, the Social Democratic Party and the Alliance Together for Hungary.

Delegates agreed on goals and basic principles and on continuing the talks.

The opposition groups agreed that a new government after the next elections will first have to restore the rule of law, and that a new constitution is needed to represent values with which the people can identify.

The new constitution will have to be shaped by wide-ranging social dialogue and based on a genuine social consensus, the parties said.

The delegates also agreed to enact a constitution-level law without delay to pronounce a ban on retroactive legislation, create a fair electoral system, guarantee freedom of speech, separate church and state, restore the democratic functioning of independent institutions and local government rule, and rename Hungary as a republic.

Barandy said participants agreed that they would not wish to enact a new constitution on their own, even with a two-thirds majority.

He affirmed that the participants plan to meet again next Wednesday.

Representatives of LMP and 4K! did not take part in the weekend preparatory talks nor on Wednesday. Jobbik was not invited to participate in the talks.

Source: Hungary Around the Clock

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