Das Gesetz der Gesetzlosigkeit
Zur letzten Sitzungsperiode des US Supreme Courts
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Die Würde der Schwangeren ist unantastbar
Nachdem in der letzten Legislatur die Entkriminalisierung des Schwangerschaftsabbruchs gescheitert war, könnte die Debatte nun wieder Auftrieb bekommen: Vor wenigen Wochen hat der Deutsche Ärztetag eine Entkriminalisierung gefordert, und auch das britische Unterhaus stimmte endlich dafür. Der aktuelle Koalitionsvertrag sieht dazu zwar konkret nichts vor. Doch der deutsche Gesetzgeber ist verpflichtet, den Schwangerschaftsabbruch neu zu regeln, weil er die Würde von Schwangeren zu achten hat – und es sich dabei um eine absolute Achtungspflicht handelt.
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The Limits of Limiting Democracy
The intellectual and institutional architectures built around democracy are under pressure – and evolving: Germany reformed its fiscal constitution in March, Europe’s Stability and Growth Pact is undergoing a stress test, and in the United States, the White House is questioning the independence of monetary policy. Historically, democracy has an ambivalent reputation: Plato described it as both the freest and the most unstable of governments. But how far and in what ways can democracy be limited before it loses its democratic nature?
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Remonstration an der Grenze
Da Innenminister Dobrindt trotz der Entscheidung des VG Berlin weiter Zurückweisungen an den deutschen Binnengrenzen durchführen lässt, könnte nunmehr ein Institut des Dienstrechts relevant werden, das lange ein „Schattendasein“ fristete: die Remonstration. Dabei geht es hier insbesondere um die Frage, ob Bundespolizist:innen verpflichtet sind, hinsichtlich der Zurückweisungen zu remonstrieren (§ 63 Abs. 2 S. 1 BBG). Die Rechtsprechung von BVerfG und BGH spricht indes eher gegen diese Pflicht. Ein Recht zur Remonstration besteht aufgrund der Zweifel an der Rechtmäßigkeit der aktuellen Praxis indes bereits jetzt.
Continue reading >>The Antagonistic Unity of Copyright and Freedom of the Arts
On 17 June 2025, Advocate General Emiliou delivered his opinion in the second referral of the German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) to the CJEU in the case “Pelham” – also known as “Metall auf Metall” (Case C-590/23). He defines “pastiche” – currently the most controversial concept of European copyright law – and makes a fundamental statement on EU copyright law and its relationship to freedom of the arts as guaranteed by Art. 13 CFR.The InfoSoc Directive, which is at the heart of EU copyright law, is too restrictive with regard to the artistic use of copyright-protected works and therefore not compatible with the Charter’s freedom of the arts. Emiliou’s opinion is a breakthrough. It grounds copyright in freedom of the arts and paves the way for a new perspective on the relationship between copyright and artistic freedom.
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Constitutional Awakening of Values
On 5 June 2025, AG Ćapeta delivered her opinion in case C-769/22, raising a pivotal question for the EU’s constitutional future: Can Article 2 TEU serve as a standalone provision in infringement proceedings? While the issue has sparked debate – including on this blog – this post defends the Opinion as a constitutionally coherent and necessary step to safeguard the Union’s foundational values. It argues that AG Ćapeta’s approach is firmly rooted in existing case law and offers a compelling legal framework to address democratic backsliding. The post focuses on her use of the “good society” concept and the proposed “negation of values” test, examining their normative grounding and practical significance within EU law.
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The Constitution’s Midnight
Resolving some legal issues requires drawing a line through a gray area. Others can be resolved without having to draw a line, in recognition of an old insight: that there is a dawn and a dusk does not mean there is no noon or no midnight. Whether the President had power under the Constitution to attack Iran without congressional approval is an issue that falls in the latter category, within the Constitution’s midnight: wherever a line might be drawn in harder cases, this is not one of them.
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CURRENT DEBATES
Animal Rights: The Role of the EU Charter
Animals remain largely absent from EU legal discourse – especially when it comes to the Charter of Fundamental Rights. This symposium asks whether the Charter could become a catalyst for stronger animal protection across Member States, exploring questions of legal standing, rights, and the EU’s evolving relationship with non-human life. Co-edited by Ester Herlin-Karnell and Matilda Arvidsson.
Read all articles >>GEAS-Reform: Halbzeit bis zur Anwendung
Acht Jahre wurde verhandelt, bis sich EU und Mitgliedsstaaten im Mai 2024 durch die Verabschiedung im Parlament auf eine Reform des Gemeinsamen Europäischen Asylsystems (GEAS) einigen konnten. Die Erwartungen sind immens. Dieses Symposium nimmt die Halbzeit bis zur Anwendung im Sommer 2026 zum Anlass, um einen genaueren Blick auf die Rechtsakte und deren Umsetzung zu werfen. Was ändert sich konkret? Wo gibt es Fortschritte? Und wo gibt es Lücken?
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Volume 7,Issue 1
April 2025
JUS COGENS
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C. CORRADETTI, G. DAMELE
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Machiavelli’s State and its Later Reception
GÜRKAN ÇAPAR
OUR LATEST PUBLICATION
Anmol Jain & Tanja Herklotz (eds.)
Indian Constitutionalism at Crossroads: 2014-2024
Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has governed India since 2014, marking a decade of challenges to various aspects of India’s democracy and constitutional system. While the last decade may not have left many conspicuous signs textually, the soul of India’s constitutional system has suffered several dents. The ruling government has launched, quite successfully, a project of redefining India, its constitutional identity, and its vision. This edited volume explores these multifaceted challenges and assesses the current state of Indian Constitutionalism.
PROJECTS
VB Security and Crime
In cooperation with:
VB Security and Crime is a cooperation of the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law (MPI-CSL) and the Verfassungsblog in the areas of public security law and criminal law. The MPI-CSL Institute is a member of the Max Planck Law network.
Das Justiz-Projekt
Weltweit gerät die unabhängige und unparteiische Justiz unter den Druck des autoritären Populismus.
Wie verwundbar ist die rechtsprechende Gewalt in Deutschland – im Bund und in den Ländern?
VB Security and Crime
In cooperation with:
VB Security and Crime is a cooperation of the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law (MPI-CSL) and the Verfassungsblog in the areas of public security law and criminal law. The MPI-CSL Institute is a member of the Max Planck Law network.
EDITORIAL
Das Gesetz der Gesetzlosigkeit
Zur letzten Sitzungsperiode des US Supreme Courts
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