All articles tagged with #rule of law
A political commentary arguing that Chief Justice John Roberts’ recent jurisprudence and judicial posture effectively give Donald Trump greater latitude to challenge or bypass legal constraints, raising alarms about the rule of law and the judiciary’s independence under the current administration.
The European Union publicly backs the International Criminal Court after the United States sanctioned ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior prosecutor Abdoulaye Seye, saying judges must be able to work independently without external pressure. Germany and the Netherlands expressed support or concern, while the ICC denounced the sanctions as an attack on its independence amid Washington’s broader aim to curb the court’s reach over officials from non-member states in Gaza-related cases.
New Attorney General Todd Blanche told DOJ staff he will lead with integrity, uphold the rule of law impartially, and respect the judiciary, while welcoming disagreement. The 19-minute address marked a departure from earlier rhetoric against activist judges and criticisms of Biden-era leadership, signaling a more cohesive, professional DOJ. Critics argue the department has already grown politicized under his leadership, noting staff turnover and prosecutions, but Blanche framed the message as a commitment to doing the right thing and backing employees who follow the law.
Attorney General Todd Blanche delivered his first DOJ staff address in Washington, pledging to lead the department with integrity, uphold the rule of law impartially, respect the judiciary, and encourage healthy debate among staff from diverse backgrounds—an effort to steady a workforce shaken by firings and political controversy. Critics remain skeptical about whether he will follow through on these promises as the department navigates past upheaval and scrutiny.
Magyar’s two-thirds victory gives him the power to dismantle Viktor Orbán’s System of National Cooperation (NER), purge key offices, curb state media, and launch anti-corruption probes, signaling a rapid reordering of Hungary’s institutions and a test for democracy and EU rule of law.
Tamás Sulyok signs a constitutional amendment to remove himself from office after months of pressure from Prime Minister Péter Magyar, a move that curtails Orbán-era influence, reinstates a 70-year retirement age for Constitutional Court judges, and signals a push to restore checks and balances in Hungary.
Hungary’s president Tamás Sulyok signed a constitutional amendment passed by the ruling Tisza party, ending his term immediately. The law, part of PM Péter Magyar’s drive to curb Orbán-era power, will have Parliament elect a new president with interim duties assigned to Ágnes Forsthoffer, and imposes a 12-year term limit for lawmakers plus a 70-year retirement age for constitutional court judges (forcing the current president Péter Polt to retire). Sulyok warned the reform harms the rule of law and marks a watershed in Hungary’s constitutional democracy, while Orbán criticized the changes as tyranny and Fidesz faced resignations and slipping support.
A bipartisan cohort of current and retired judges travels by bus through Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan to stress the importance of an independent judiciary and the rule of law, counter politicization of the courts, and engage students and communities; the trip is funded by civic groups Democracy Rising Collaborative and Keep Our Republic.
The Bulwark argues that Trump’s use of the DOJ to target opponents must be confronted with three concrete moves: publicly pledge to prosecute enablers if the political balance tilts, use FOIA requests (as Gavin Newsom did) to force disclosure and test the investigations’ legitimacy, and seek dismissal or legal challenges when prosecutions appear vindictive. The piece warns that such abuses threaten the rule of law and First Amendment rights, and urges ongoing public and legal resistance to defend democracy.
Ukraine and Moldova have begun the first phase of EU membership negotiations, launching cluster one on rule of law and democracy after Hungary's veto was overcome; EU leaders call enlargement strategic, while Kyiv's reform efforts—especially anti-corruption and judiciary reforms—are still assessed as incomplete, and experts caution the process could take years with security considerations shaping the path.
EU ambassadors endorsed opening the first accession cluster—‘Fundamentals’ (rule of law, human rights, judiciary)—for Ukraine and Moldova and approved a rule‑of‑law roadmap plus a minority rights action plan, with intergovernmental conferences in Luxembourg on June 15. Kyiv hopes to open all six clusters (33 chapters) this summer, but the process remains merit‑based and not fast‑tracked; Moldova is included as a candidate, and Zelensky welcomed the move as important political and moral support.
Hungary’s new prime minister Péter Magyar vows to amend the constitution to remove most of Viktor Orbán’s appointees, including president Tamás Sulyok, in a bid to restore the rule of law and democracy as Hungary seeks to unlock EU funds. Sulyok resists stepping down and may seek input from the Venice Commission, while Magyar uses his party’s supermajority to target other Orbán-era bodies such as the constitutional court, State Audit Office, and media regulator, with the central bank governor Mihály Varga remaining in place to preserve independence.
The European Commission will release more than €16.4 billion in frozen EU funds to Hungary once reform milestones pass, including about €10 billion in pandemic recovery funds and €6.4 billion in cohesion funds. PM Péter Magyar says the funding follows Hungary’s democratic choice and is not linked to Ukraine talks, with disbursement conditioned on reforms passing parliament.
The European Commission unlocked €16.4 billion in EU funds for Hungary under new prime minister Péter Magyar, contingent on anti-corruption and rule-of-law reforms. About €10 billion comes from the Covid Recovery Fund with milestones, and €6.4 billion from cohesion funds to upgrade health, transport, energy grids, and education; Erasmus will resume for students, signaling a shift since Viktor Orbán’s era and a broader wind of change across Hungary.
Hungary secures €16.4bn of EU funds after a reform deal tied to anti-corruption and rule-of-law steps, with €10bn from NextGenerationEU, €4.2bn cohesion and €2.2bn for academic freedom; a €500m tranche remains blocked over LGBTQ-rights issues, as PM Péter Magyar hails a reset of EU ties and pledges swift reforms.