14 June 2014
Will Slovenia join Hungary and Romania as examples of constitutional back-sliding?
Just weeks from the election, the Slovenian opposition leader will be sent to jail on dubious corruption charges – unless the Constitutional Court intervenes this week. Slovenia will find itself in an unprecedented constitutional regression and join the notorious Hungarian and Romanian examples of apparent constitutional back-sliding. Continue reading >>
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13 June 2014
Why Kumm is Wrong and there is not in LAW a duty to appoint Juncker
I would go so far to say that were the European Council to make a nomination based on the sort of legal duty Kumm asserts, and were that nomination to be taken by the qualified majority vote which the treaty permits, an outvoted state would have good legal grounds for challenging the decision before the European Court of Justice. Maybe then we would see who is right and who is wrong. Continue reading >>Why Kumm is Wrong and there is not in LAW a duty to appoint Juncker
I would go so far to say that were the European Council to make a nomination based on the sort of legal duty Kumm asserts, and were that nomination to be taken by the qualified majority vote which the treaty permits, an outvoted state would have good legal grounds for challenging the decision before the European Court of Justice. Maybe then we would see who is right and who is wrong. Continue reading >>Blogschau // Debatten der Woche // 06.06 – 13.06
Europawahlen, Bundespräsident, Migration: Was die konstitutionalistische Blogosphäre in dieser Woche interessant fand. Continue reading >>
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Why Armstrong is wrong and there IS in fact a legal duty to appoint Juncker
Thankfully the Treaties provide the basis for leaving behind the ancien régime of executive federalism and pushes towards a more democratic politics in Europe. Ironically the path to a brighter democratic future in Europe depends to a nontrivial extent on the Council acting in conformity with its duty to nominate a perhaps less than inspiring steady hand of the past as Commission President. Continue reading >>Why Armstrong is wrong and there IS in fact a legal duty to appoint Juncker
Thankfully the Treaties provide the basis for leaving behind the ancien régime of executive federalism and pushes towards a more democratic politics in Europe. Ironically the path to a brighter democratic future in Europe depends to a nontrivial extent on the Council acting in conformity with its duty to nominate a perhaps less than inspiring steady hand of the past as Commission President. Continue reading >>
12 June 2014
Valuing the values and diluting the dilemma: a call for an EU framework for fundamental rights
The European Union is entering a time of revival and renewal. It has a brand new Parliament and will soon have a new Commission, one of whose members is likely to be made responsible specifically for fundamental rights. The European Council is about to adopt strategic guidelines that will guide the Union’s future policies in the area of Justice and Home Affairs – an area of utmost importance for fundamental rights. And the Union as a whole is in the process of acceding to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights. Similar to proposals by the European Union Agency for fundamental rights (FRA), the Council of the European Union concluded on 5 June 2014 that the EU could indeed “gradually” develop a “Union internal strategy on fundamental rights, possibly through an action plan on a mid-term basis, regarding the respect and promotion of the Charter”. This opens new perspectives for the protection and promotion of fundamental rights within the EU. This is the right moment to establish an EU internal framework for fundamental rights that mirrors the existing external fundamental rights framework. It would send a strong signal to the outside world, demonstrating that the EU and its Member States are prepared to ‘walk the talk’ and thus decrease the dilemma of inconsistency between the Union’s internal and external behaviour. Continue reading >>Valuing the values and diluting the dilemma: a call for an EU framework for fundamental rights
The European Union is entering a time of revival and renewal. It has a brand new Parliament and will soon have a new Commission, one of whose members is likely to be made responsible specifically for fundamental rights. The European Council is about to adopt strategic guidelines that will guide the Union’s future policies in the area of Justice and Home Affairs – an area of utmost importance for fundamental rights. And the Union as a whole is in the process of acceding to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights. Similar to proposals by the European Union Agency for fundamental rights (FRA), the Council of the European Union concluded on 5 June 2014 that the EU could indeed “gradually” develop a “Union internal strategy on fundamental rights, possibly through an action plan on a mid-term basis, regarding the respect and promotion of the Charter”. This opens new perspectives for the protection and promotion of fundamental rights within the EU. This is the right moment to establish an EU internal framework for fundamental rights that mirrors the existing external fundamental rights framework. It would send a strong signal to the outside world, demonstrating that the EU and its Member States are prepared to ‘walk the talk’ and thus decrease the dilemma of inconsistency between the Union’s internal and external behaviour. Continue reading >>
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11 June 2014
Why the European Council is NOT under a legal duty to appoint Jean-Claude Juncker
Speculation over the nominee for the next President of the European Commission has been rife in newspapers, media and the blogosphere. In the face of such uncertainty, it might be reassuring to believe that, as Mattias Kumm asserts, there is an actual legal duty to appoint a particular candidate. No such luck. If there was to be legal certainty, then the authors of the treaty could quite easily have provided that clarity, including by institutionalising the Spitzenkandidat concept in the treaties. They did no such thing. Continue reading >>Why the European Council is NOT under a legal duty to appoint Jean-Claude Juncker
Speculation over the nominee for the next President of the European Commission has been rife in newspapers, media and the blogosphere. In the face of such uncertainty, it might be reassuring to believe that, as Mattias Kumm asserts, there is an actual legal duty to appoint a particular candidate. No such luck. If there was to be legal certainty, then the authors of the treaty could quite easily have provided that clarity, including by institutionalising the Spitzenkandidat concept in the treaties. They did no such thing. Continue reading >>
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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