Saudade of the constitution: The relationship between constitutional and criminal law in the European context

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between the constitution and criminal law. The relationship between criminal law and constitutional law has been the subject of much attention by doctrine in several European Union countries. However, in view of the jurisprudence of the Constitutional Courts and the European Courts, they have not served to constitute an effective limit for the legislator. In particular, the article examines the case law relating to the principle of proportionality.