Hungary's Orban defends contentious new constitution
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 7 February 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Hungary's Orban defends contentious new constitution, 7 February 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4f3bc765c.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 07, 2012
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said he is "proud" of the country's new constitution and questioned the motives of those criticizing it.
Critics of the new constitution – who include the European Commission – say it undermines democracy by undermining the independence of the central bank and the judiciary.
Orban, in his annual address to the nation on February 7, said the constitution would help shield Hungary from the eurozone debt crisis and also claimed its critics were financially motivated by interests in Hungary's markets and resources.
Orban previously has signaled he was ready to alter some of the legislation as his government seeks a badly needed credit line of up to 20 billion euros ($25 billion) from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Compiled from agency reports
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
