Hungary's Parliament to vote on changes to constitution
(Vatican Radio) Hungary's parliament is to vote Monday on constitutional changes that
critics claim will turn the nation into a dictatorship. The lengthy amendment of an
already controversial constitution is expected to be adopted, despite protests in
Hungary and abroad.
"A real constitution, democracy and the rule of law" shouted
thousands of Hungarians over the weekend in Budapest, where they rallied to protest
the planned fourth amendment since the constitution took effect in January 2012.
Demonstrators
said lawmakers from Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's right-wing Fidesz party want to
strengthen his government's power over all key institutions ranging from the media,
the judiciary and universities to the central bank and even churches.
The
changes would reinstate policies struck down by the Constitutional Court, including
restricting election campaigning to only state media and forcing university students
who accepted state scholarships to work in Hungary for years after they graduate.
Additionally, rights activists fear the end of religious freedom as faith
groups need parliamentary approval to be recognized as churches. Among the requirements
is their collaboration with the state.
COURT OBJECTIONS
The
Constitutional Court's objections will be rendered invalid.
Philosopher and
writer Miklós Tamás Gáspár suggested to demonstrators that Hungary will be turned
into a dictatorship.
He said, "This constitution violates people's rights
and freedom. Is this the government for the people?"
Earlier protesters climbed
over the fence of the ruling party's headquarters where an activist warned the amended
constitution would also target the most vulnerable people, including the homeless.
"The constitution will say that homelessness is a crime. But we think they
should fight against poverty not against the poor people," he said, referring to plans
to jail or fine them.
INTERNATIONAL CONCERN
The European
Union and the United States share the protesters concerns.
In a phone call
Friday, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso urged the prime minister
to ensure the constitution, or Fundamental Law as it is known in Hungary, is "in accordance
with EU democratic principles."
Yet, the fraction leader of the ruling Fidesz
party, Antal Rogán, rejected international criticism.
"We can not accept pressure
politics. It is impossible to imagine that outsiders from abroad dictate what Parliament
has to do," he added. "Parliament is a sovereign institution with accountability only
to the voters."
Yet, many of them apparently wonder whether the government
they elected will respect their previously constitutional rights, with opinion polls
showing a decline in support for Fidesz.
NEUTRALIZING CHALLENGERS
There
is little the opposition can do as Orbán already neutralized domestic challengers
by putting allies in the media council, the state audit office, the central bank and
other organizations.
Commentators have said that the 49-year-old Orbán's repeated
attempts to concentrate power and carry out what he calls his "revolution in a voting
booth" seem at odds with his past.
Once known as an anti-communist dissident,
he entered the political stage in 1989 by publicly calling for the withdrawal of Soviet
troops from Hungary and the end of the Communist dictatorship.
Orbán has
defended his policies, saying they are aimed at overcoming the legacy of Communism.
His government claims it also protects Hungarian families in this heavily
Catholic country, by recognizing marriage in the constitution as a "union of a man
and a woman."