10 June 2014
Politicizing the Federal President
This article is available only in German. Continue reading >>
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06 June 2014
Sonia Sotomayors geliebte Welt – und das, was wir von unseren Verfassungsrichter/innen erwarten können
Selbstdisziplin im Rampenlicht Kurz nachdem im Alter von fünf Jahren [...] Continue reading >>Why the Council is under a legal duty to propose Juncker as a Commission President
The German Chancellor has stated that she would “conduct all negotiations with a view to ensuring that Claude Juncker becomes President”. But the qualifications she continues to make suggest that she very much remains willing to hide behind Cameron and a minority of other leaders to aim for “a compromise” that will leave democratic aspirations in Europe severely harmed. Citizens have good reasons to be concerned. Continue reading >>Der Europäische Rat ist verpflichtet, Juncker vorzuschlagen
Die Position von Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel, "jetzt alle Gespräche genau in diesem Geiste (zu führen), dass Jean-Claude Juncker auch Präsident der Europäischen Kommission werden sollte" ist nicht nur politisch angemessen, sondern europarechtlich und verfassungsrechtlich geboten. Continue reading >>03 June 2014
Is Deutsche Telekom aiding Viktor Orbán to dismantle Hungarian Democracy?
This article is available only in German. Continue reading >>Expelling dissent: On account of the ECtHR judgment in Baka v Hungary
The European courts have been rather active in finding Hungary in violation of European constitutional and human rights minimum standards in April and in May 2014. In the most recent judgment in this line of cases, Baka v Hungary, the ECtHR found that the last chief justice of the Hungarian Supreme Court, András Baka, had been removed from office through constitution-making before the end of his term due to his criticism of the government’s judicial reforms. The Baka case is symptomatic of a fundamental shortcoming of Hungary’s new constitutional reality: the suppression and expulsion of dissent from the domestic political sphere. Sadly, the timing of the ECtHR’s judgment is perfect, as it comes at a time when the government is taking intense legal steps and other measures silence dissenting voices even further. Continue reading >>
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Expelling dissent: On account of the ECtHR judgment in Baka v Hungary
The European courts have been rather active in finding Hungary in violation of European constitutional and human rights minimum standards in April and in May 2014. In the most recent judgment in this line of cases, Baka v Hungary, the ECtHR found that the last chief justice of the Hungarian Supreme Court, András Baka, had been removed from office through constitution-making before the end of his term due to his criticism of the government’s judicial reforms. The Baka case is symptomatic of a fundamental shortcoming of Hungary’s new constitutional reality: the suppression and expulsion of dissent from the domestic political sphere. Sadly, the timing of the ECtHR’s judgment is perfect, as it comes at a time when the government is taking intense legal steps and other measures silence dissenting voices even further. Continue reading >>02 June 2014
“Blogging is a way of changing the relations of authority in the public sphere”
Jack Balkin, professor of constitutional law at Yale University and founder of one of the most widely read blogs on constitutional law in the US, talks about what it means to run a scholarly blog. Continue reading >>
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Languages and EU law discourse: A view from a bilingual periphery
Typically, researchers go for impact; impact on other research, other legal practices along legal research, notably in the legislative, administrative and judicial branches. And the very idea of research includes the element of sharing – and sharing your results is easier if you are understood. In order to take part in the relevant discussions you need to go for two publication channels in parallel: national discourse and communication in foreign languages. Continue reading >>
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Languages and EU law discourse: A view from a bilingual periphery
Typically, researchers go for impact; impact on other research, other legal practices along legal research, notably in the legislative, administrative and judicial branches. And the very idea of research includes the element of sharing – and sharing your results is easier if you are understood. In order to take part in the relevant discussions you need to go for two publication channels in parallel: national discourse and communication in foreign languages. Continue reading >>
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31 May 2014
“Wer Wählerinnen und Wähler mobilisieren will, muss bessere Argumente haben”
Dorothée de Nève, Expertin für Nichtwähler_innenforschung, im Interview über Wahlverweigerung und Protest, und warum politische Appelle, zur Wahl zu gehen, nicht nur nichts fruchten, sondern sogar kontraproduktiv sind. Continue reading >>‘My dear, the Noise, the People…’: On Fears about Assemblies
The European Parliament is institutionally shielded against any tangible negative consequences of the shameful election results actually derailing vital policies. ‘Europe’, in the first place, is a way to protect the Member States from their own stupid, homophobic and racist people (among others), and the EP is the worst possible place for parochial hatred policies. The remedy against turning EP elections into xenophobic crusades of the vile would be to make the EP a full-fledged Parliament. Continue reading >>
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‘My dear, the Noise, the People…’: On Fears about Assemblies
The European Parliament is institutionally shielded against any tangible negative consequences of the shameful election results actually derailing vital policies. ‘Europe’, in the first place, is a way to protect the Member States from their own stupid, homophobic and racist people (among others), and the EP is the worst possible place for parochial hatred policies. The remedy against turning EP elections into xenophobic crusades of the vile would be to make the EP a full-fledged Parliament. Continue reading >>
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On the Right to be Forgotten and the Right to be for myself
This article is available only in German. Continue reading >>
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30 May 2014
Paying Tribute to the Ghost of Democratic Deficit
Literally a week ago any scholar daring to advocate “less power for the EU Parliament” and “hands off the Commission” would have faced a storm of dramatic accusations from all sorts of legal and political scientists. EU academia is deeply infected by a virus called “democratic deficit”. Last week parliamentary elections in Europe revealed the need to challenge this virus and explain why politicising the Commission (the direction enthusiastically advanced in recent EU scholarship) is largely erroneous and potentially mortal for the EU immune system. Continue reading >>Paying Tribute to the Ghost of Democratic Deficit
Literally a week ago any scholar daring to advocate “less power for the EU Parliament” and “hands off the Commission” would have faced a storm of dramatic accusations from all sorts of legal and political scientists. EU academia is deeply infected by a virus called “democratic deficit”. Last week parliamentary elections in Europe revealed the need to challenge this virus and explain why politicising the Commission (the direction enthusiastically advanced in recent EU scholarship) is largely erroneous and potentially mortal for the EU immune system. Continue reading >>29 May 2014
The Solitude of European Law Made in Germany
European law scholars abroad rarely take notice of contributions in German. But German law scholars also tend to ignore debates in English. This disconnect hampers the effectiveness of both domestic and transnational discussions about the benefits and pitfalls of European Union law. Participants in these debates should reflect about linguistic choices and their implications for our legal culture(s). Continue reading >>Die Einsamkeit des deutschsprachigen Europarechts
Europarechtler im Ausland nehmen deutschsprachige Diskussionsbeiträge kaum noch wahr. Doch auch in Deutschland werden auf Englisch geführte Debatten teilweise ignoriert. Dies erschwert den internationalen Austausch über die Vorzüge und Defizite des Unionsrechts und stellt die deutsche Europarechtswissenschaft vor die Frage, wie sie es mit den Publikationen (auch) auf Englisch hält. Continue reading >>Das gelöschte Feststellungsinteresse: BVerwG weist Klage gegen BND-Überwachung ab
Tausende Suchbegriffe stehen auf der Liste des BND, mit deren Hilfe der Dienst im internationalen Internet- und Telefonverkehr nach verdächtigem Gedankenaustausch sucht. Angesichts des Umfangs der Schlagwortliste ist es nicht ganz unwahrscheinlich, dass auch der ein oder andere Rechtsanwalt Teil des nachrichtendienstlichen Beifangs wird. Der Kläger vor dem Bundesverwaltungsgericht, der Berliner Rechtsanwalt Niko Härting, sah sich besonders gefährdet. Doch der Versuch, das für die Zulässigkeit notwendige Feststellungsinteresse zu konstruieren, scheiterte am Bundesverwaltungsgericht und dem bewährten Argument: Da kann ja jeder kommen. Continue reading >>28 May 2014
Why EU-friendly Poland showed so little voter turnout at the EP elections
The Polish society is still a beneficiary of the European integration. We take advantage of the output legitimacy of the system. EU money has a substantial impact on the situation of farmers, infrastructure investments (highways, railway, modern buildings, renovation of cities) or numerous social cohesion programs. But there is a general feeling that support by the EU budget is the most natural thing, like oxygen in the air. We deserve it due to our democratic transformation path. That is the reason why more than 80% of the Polish population support European integration. But at the same time, there is no feeling of responsibility for the whole European project. Continue reading >>Why EU-friendly Poland showed so little voter turnout at the EP elections
The Polish society is still a beneficiary of the European integration. We take advantage of the output legitimacy of the system. EU money has a substantial impact on the situation of farmers, infrastructure investments (highways, railway, modern buildings, renovation of cities) or numerous social cohesion programs. But there is a general feeling that support by the EU budget is the most natural thing, like oxygen in the air. We deserve it due to our democratic transformation path. That is the reason why more than 80% of the Polish population support European integration. But at the same time, there is no feeling of responsibility for the whole European project. Continue reading >>25 May 2014
Unconstitutional Either Way: The Swiss Government is Caught in a Catch-22 Situation
This article is available only in German. Continue reading >>
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Wenn der Volkswille den Gesetzgeber zum Verfassungsbruch zwingt
Mit der erfolgreichen Pädophilen-Initiative haben die Schweizer ihre Regierung in eine Zwickmühle gebracht: Das absolute Verbot, verurteilte Pädophile jemals wieder mit Kindern arbeiten zu lassen, verstößt gegen das Gebot der Verhältnismäßigkeit. So bleibt der Regierung bei der Umsetzung nur die Wahl, auf die eine oder auf die andere Weise verfassungswidriges Recht zu schaffen. Continue reading >>24 May 2014
Berlin gehorcht Karlsruhe: Leider nur aufs Wort
Im Februar des vergangenen Jahres hatte das Bundesverfassungsgericht in einer wegweisenden Entscheidung den Gesetzgeber dazu aufgefordert, bis zum 30. Juni 2014 auch eingetragenen Lebenspartnern zu ermöglichen, das adoptierte Kind ihres Partners anzunehmen. Dem ist der Gesetzgeber jetzt nachgekommen. Am Donnerstag hat der Bundestag das entsprechende Gesetz verabschiedet. Doch erledigt ist die Sache damit vermutlich noch lange nicht. Das nächste Urteil aus Karlsruhe zur Adoptionsthematik ist bereits programmiert. Continue reading >>23 May 2014
Blogschau // Debatten der Woche // 16.5.-23.5.2014
Europawahlen, Meinungsfreiheit, Rundfunkbeitrag: Was die rechtswissenschaftlichen Blogs in dieser Woche beschäftigt hat. Continue reading >>
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21 May 2014
Switzerland: Hitler Salute in Public is not Nazi Propaganda
This article is available only in German. Continue reading >>
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19 May 2014
Bad Parents are Parents, too
This article is available only in German. Continue reading >>
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Justice Sotomayor in Berlin: a case against true objectivity
This year, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas finally broke his [...] Continue reading >>
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Justice Sotomayor in Berlin: Werk und Autor am US Supreme Court
Sonia Sotomayor: Latina, progressiv, auskunftsfreudig. Clarence Thomas: schwarz, konservativ, verschlossen. Wenn es um Diskriminierungs- und Minderheitenfragen geht, ist der jeweilige Ansatz bei der Verfassungsinterpretation der beiden Richter am US Supreme Court untrennbar mit ihren politischen Ansichten verbunden, die wiederum Resultat ihrer eigenen Lebenserzählung sind. Continue reading >>17 May 2014
Norway’s constitution at 200 years: a story of stability and change
Today Norway celebrates the 200th anniversary of its constitution of May 17, 1814. Of the world’s constitutions in force today, only the US constitution of 1787 is older than the Norwegian constitution. So what kind of constitution is the Norwegian constitution, in 1814 and today? How has it endured for so long? Continue reading >>Zwischen Stabilität und Wandel: die norwegische Verfassung wird 200 Jahre alt
Norwegen feiert heute den 200. Geburtstag der Verfassung vom 17. Mai 1814. Von den Verfassungen, die heute in Kraft sind, ist nur die U.S.-Verfassung von 1787 älter. Was stand 1814 in der norwegischen Verfassung, und wie sieht sie heute aus? Wie konnte sie so lange überdauern? Continue reading >>
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15 May 2014
Einige Gedanken zur zwischenstaatlichen Entschädigung beim EGMR
Was ist das Verhältnis zwischen einem regionalen Menschenrechtssystem, etwa dem [...] Continue reading >>
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Some Reflections on the ECtHR’s First Award of Inter-State Satisfaction
What is the relationship between a regional human rights system, like the one set up by the European Convention on Human Rights, and general international law? This question has occupied legal minds for quite some time. Monday’s judgment by the European Court for Human Rights Cyprus v. Turkeydoes not provide an unambiguous answer. Continue reading >>Mind the Gap
The European UnionData Protection Directive of 1995 has always had [...] Continue reading >>
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Mind the Gap
The European UnionData Protection Directive of 1995 has always had [...] Continue reading >>
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14 May 2014
“The CJEU is about to reinvent itself”
Indra Spiecker genannt Döhmann, Datenschutzexpertin von der Universität Frankfurt, im Verfassungsblog-Interview zum Google-Urteil des Europäischen Gerichtshofs, zu den Auswirkungen auf Meinungs- und Informationsfreiheit und zur neuen Rolle des EuGH im institutionellen Gefüge der Europäischen Union. Continue reading >>
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“Der EuGH erfindet sich gerade neu”
Indra Spiecker genannt Döhmann, Datenschutzexpertin von der Universität Frankfurt, im Verfassungsblog-Interview zum Google-Urteil des Europäischen Gerichtshofs, zu den Auswirkungen auf Meinungs- und Informationsfreiheit und zur neuen Rolle des EuGH im institutionellen Gefüge der Europäischen Union. Continue reading >>Der EGMR als regionaler IGH? Entschädigung und Bestrafung im Staatenbeschwerdeverfahren
„The Cyprus v. Turkey (just satisfaction) case is the most important contribution to peace in Europe in the history of the European Court of Human Rights.” Wenn Richter ihre Entscheidungen so feiern wie der Richter Pinto de Albuquerque in seinem Sondervotum, dann besteht meistens Anlass zur Skepsis. Was ist passiert? Continue reading >>Imagining judges in a written UK Constitution
The tide of interest (among those who care about these [...] Continue reading >>
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Imagining judges in a written UK Constitution
The tide of interest (among those who care about these [...] Continue reading >>
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12 May 2014
Strasbourg strengthens its Punch
This article is available only in German. Continue reading >>
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09 May 2014
Election of Federal Constitutional Court Justice Disunites Social Democrats
This article is available only in German. Continue reading >>08 May 2014
Blogschau // Debatten der Woche // 1.5. – 8.5.2014
Was die rechtswissenschaftliche Blog-Landschaft in dieser Woche zum Nachdenken animiert hat. Continue reading >>
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Punishment before the Act? Federal Court limits Expansion of Hazard Penalization
This article is available only in German. Continue reading >>
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07 May 2014
A Further Step to a Unitarian Protection of Fundamental Rights: The CJEU’s Pfleger Decision
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) seems rather unimpressed by the critique related to its expansive interpretation of triggering the application of fundamental rights in Åkerberg Fransson. In Pfleger, the third chamber of the CJEU distanced itself even further from the wording of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (CFR). The Charter states in Art. 51 Section 1, that it is addressed to the member states “only when they are implementing Union law.” In the decision delivered on April 30th, 2014 the CJEU also considered the derogation of fundamental freedoms to be included. Thus the Court secured another way to apply EU fundamental rights in cases rather remotely connected to EU law. Continue reading >>
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Ein weiterer Schritt zum unitarischen Grundrechtsschutz? Das Pfleger-Urteil des EuGH
Der Gerichtshof der Europäischen Union (EuGH) zeigt sich unbeeindruckt von der Kritik an seiner expansiven Rechtsprechung zum Anwendungsbereich der Grundrechte in Åkerberg Fransson. Stattdessen hat sich die dritte Kammer des EuGH in der Rechtsache Pfleger weiter vom engen Wortlaut der EU-Grundrechtecharta emanzipiert. Die Charta sieht in Art. 51 Abs. 1 Satz 1 vor, dass sie für die Mitgliedsstaaten „ausschließlich bei der Durchführung des Rechts der Union“ gilt. Im Urteil vom 30. April 2014 versteht der EuGH hierunter auch Konstellationen, bei denen ein Mitgliedsstaat von den Grundfreiheiten abweichen will. Damit hält sich der Gerichtshof eine weitere Möglichkeit offen, nur entfernt mit dem Unionsrecht verbundene Sachverhalte seinem Grundrechtsschutz zu unterstellen. Continue reading >>04 May 2014
Five Questions on the EP Elections and the “Spitzenkandidat” Process: Answers by MATEJ AVBELJ
A view from Slovenia: Matej Avbelj on the "Spitzenkandidat" process and its possible implications for the legitimacy of the EU commission. Continue reading >>
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30 April 2014
Custody pending Deportation in Prisons is a Human Rights Violation
This article is available only in German. Continue reading >>
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Making Infringement Procedures More Effective: A Comment on Commission v. Hungary
On 8 April, Hungary lost again at the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ). The European Commission had alleged that that Hungary violated the independence of its data protection officer and the ECJ agreed. The case broke little new legal ground. But it is important nonetheless because it signals serious trouble within the EU. The case exposes Hungary’s ongoing challenge to the EU’s fundamental principles. And it exposes the limitations of ordinary infringement proceedings for bringing a Member State back into line. Continue reading >>Five Questions on the EP elections and the “Spitzenkandidat” process: Answers by PASQUALE PASQUINO
Five very brief answers by Pasquale Pasquino, political scientist from New York, to our five questions on the "Spitzenkandidat" process. Continue reading >>
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