Hungary Constitutional Court judge vacancy filled despite criticism

• Hungary's Parliament elected Pal Sonnevend as its first Constitutional Court judge under Prime Minister Peter Magyar.
• The process has drawn criticism for echoing nationalist ex-leader Viktor Orban's practices.
• About 68% of Hungarians found it 'disappointing' that Magyar quickly named a candidate without consulting the public as he had promised.
• Fidesz, which boycotted the vote, has announced plans to challenge several of Magyar's legal changes at the Constitutional Court.

The appointment of Pal Sonnevend marks a significant shift in Hungary's judicial landscape, as it comes amidst a broader effort to reform the country's anticorruption laws and institutions.

Hungary's Parliament elected Pal Sonnevend as its first Constitutional Court judge under Prime Minister Peter Magyar, but the process has drawn criticism for echoing nationalist ex-leader Viktor Orban's practices. The vote took place just two days after Magyar's ruling Tisza party unveiled Sonnevend as its candidate, and it came despite widespread public dissatisfaction with the fast-tracked nomination. According to a recent survey, about 68% of Hungarians found it 'disappointing' that Magyar quickly named a candidate without consulting the public as he had promised. The election was seen as a test of Magyar's commitment to loosening his predecessor's grip on state institutions after ending Orban's hardline 16-year rule at the April elections.

The appointment of Sonnevend marks a significant shift in Hungary's judicial landscape, as it comes amidst a broader effort to reform the country's anticorruption laws and institutions. The constitutional change that led to the vacancy of several high-ranking judges, including court head Peter Polt, has been criticized by opposition parties for being 'autocratic' and undermining the independence of the judiciary. Fidesz, which boycotted the vote, has also announced plans to challenge several of Magyar's legal changes at the Constitutional Court, including anticorruption reforms. The move is seen as a continuation of Orban's legacy in Hungary, where the executive branch has long wielded significant influence over the judiciary.

The appointment of Pal Sonnevend and the broader constitutional changes made by Magyar's government have significant implications for Hungary's compliance with international standards on judicial independence. The move is likely to be closely watched by lawyers and compliance officers, who should be aware of potential challenges to the constitutional changes made by the Hungarian government. As Amnesty International noted, 'Tisza's current approach means that the same single-party, professional and political consultation-free selection of a constitutional judge is taking place as before' under Orban. The appointment of Sonnevend marks a significant test of Magyar's commitment to reforming Hungary's institutions and upholding democratic values.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for potential challenges to the constitutional changes made by the Hungarian government, particularly with regards to anticorruption reforms and the appointment of judges.

Source: Original reporting via Agence France-Presse