Unconstitutional: Top Court Rules on Referendum Bids re Fudan University, Jobless Benefits
- 19 May 2022 6:38 AM
- Hungary Matters
The Constitutional Court on Wednesday ruled that a decision by the Kúria, Hungary’s supreme court, approving referendum initiatives on the Budapest campus of China’s Fudan University and the extension of the jobseekers’ allowance is unconstitutional.
The ruling means that a referendum cannot be held on those issues.
In its justification, the Constitutional Court said a national referendum on the planned Budapest campus of Fudan University could not be held because it concerned an international agreement between Hungary and the People’s Republic of China.
Meanwhile, the issue of extending the eligibility period for jobless benefits cannot be put to a vote because it would impact the state budget, the court said.
Under Hungarian law, referendums cannot be initiated on subjects which would affect obligations stemming from an international agreement and ones that involve changes in public finance.
Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony announced last July that he would initiate a referendum on five issues. In August, Hungary’s National Election Committee certified two of those referendum questions; one on Fudan University’s Budapest campus and one on the extension of jobless benefits.
The questions were approved by the Kúria in December. The Kúria’s rulings were appealed to the Constitutional Court.
MTI Photo: Zsolt Szigetváry
XpatLoop Media Partner
LATEST NEWS IN current affairs