The Hungarian sword of constitutional identity

Abstract

In its 'refugee quota decision' of 2016 the Hungarian Constitutional Court (HCC) 'invented' its competences of ultra vires, sovereignty and constitutional identity controls. The sword of constitutional identity (CI) has been forged against foreign - first of all - EU law. In the development of the new concept the interplay between the Government, the Government-dominated parliament and the Constitutional Court loyal to the Government seems to be evident. The textual analysis of the relevant HCC's decisions proves that the Hungarian Constitutional identity (HCI) contains legal acts in force - including the Fundamental Law (constitution) and the Founding treaties of the EU -, legal acts 'not in force but valid' and activities related to the fight for independence of the Hungarian State. As far as the nature of the HCI is concerned, the article demonstrates the strong relationship with sovereignty control, and the 'historical constitution' and emphasises the HCC's statement according to which the CI is not created by the constitution, it is merely acknowledges it. Given the large number of elements identified as part of the HCI, its openness to the inclusion of further elements, and the questionable nature of the HCI, the author submits that the concept is inappropriate for any meaningful constitutional review. The HCC - at least until now - despite being invited to do so, has refused to use the sword against EU secondary law and the judgment of the European Court of Justice, and avoided overt constitutional conflict. However, this does not mean that the HCC is ready to enter into sincere dialogue with the court in Luxembourg.