Articles for category: Regionen

New Zealand’s Constitution of Liberty

The New Zealand government has launched a consultation on a Regulatory Standards Bill that could shape both existing and future regulation. In addition to laying down principles to which regulation will be expected to conform, the bill would set up an institutional mechanism for implementing them. It is an ambitious undertaking which deserves attention beyond New Zealand’s shores for three reasons: first, its remarkably libertarian content; second, the unusual way in which it would be implemented; and third, what it can tell us about the ways in which an “unwritten” constitution changes―or doesn’t.

19. Dezember 2024

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Deutschland, Israel und der IGH

Das Verfahren zwischen Südafrika und Israel vor dem Internationalen Gerichtshof zählt vielleicht zu den bedeutendsten in der Geschichte des Gerichts. Bereits zehn Staaten sind dem Verfahren beigetreten oder haben ihren Beitritt beantragt. Deutschland kündigte seine Absicht zur Intervention bereits kurz nach der Klageeinreichung Südafrikas an, noch bevor es selbst in einen Rechtsstreit mit Nicaragua über die Unterstützung Israels verwickelt wurde. Eine politisch motivierte Intervention unter Art. 63 des IGH-Status würde sich jedoch dem Vorwurf der Doppelmoral aussetzen. Erweiterten Handlungsspielraum eröffnet dagegen eine Intervention unter Art. 62 des IGH-Status.

19. Dezember 2024

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Lay Judges in Common Courts

Lay judges in Poland, who play a crucial role in enhancing civic participation in the judiciary, have seen their role marginalized over time due to systemic changes and professional judges’ attitudes. Lay-judges do not feel adequately appreciated, do not see their function as a source of pride. Despite being undervalued and facing dwindling interest from citizens, revitalizing their participation through legislative reforms and a fresh narrative could strengthen public trust and legitimacy in the justice system.

19. Dezember 2024

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Schrödinger’s Judges

What happens when judges are both legitimate and illegitimate at the same time? In post-2023 Poland, tension arises between ‘old judges’ (pre-2018), accusing ‘neo-judges’ of ethical compromise, and the new government, which aims to maintain judicial continuity. As a result, neo-judges find themselves in a state akin to Schrödinger's cat, their legitimacy simultaneously affirmed and denied. This paradox encapsulates the broader struggle over judicial authority and political influence in the country.

19. Dezember 2024

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Ein »Hochschulsicherheitsrecht« verstößt gegen die verfassungsrechtliche Gewährleistung wissenschaftlicher Forschung und Lehre

Verfassungsrechtlerinnen und Verfassungsrechtler aus allen juristischen Fakultäten des Landes NRW haben sich zu der folgenden Stellungnahme zusammengeschlossen. Sie trägt die Unterschrift einer deutlichen Mehrzahl aller aktiven Hochschullehrer des Verfassungsrechts, mehrere Rechtsfakultäten sind mit ihrem Öffentlichen Recht vollständig vertreten.

18. Dezember 2024

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Restoring the Rule of Law

Poland has become a real-time laboratory of rule of law restoration. The new government is faced with the fundamental question of how to tackle undemocratic reforms with legitimate, democratic measures. Avoiding obstruction by the affiliates of the outgoing regime and suppressing the desire for retribution by the injured parties presents the biggest challenge. Yet, the Polish government has a rare occasion to lead by example on how to solve the rule of law crisis not only by legal, but also political means.

18. Dezember 2024

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The Winding Road To The Mountaintop

In the Rule of Law in Poland Action Plan, the Polish government outlined its approach to restoring the rule of law in the country. It might have been a good starting point for developing the concept of restoring the rule of law. However, it remains unsatisfying that, after so many years of discussing the collapse of the rule of law, more elaborate ideas for its restoration were not put on the table, and the Action Plan lacks concrete proposals.

18. Dezember 2024

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Why Taiwan’s Constitutional Court Is in Danger

Legislators from the leading party in Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan are moving to pass an amendment that could effectively paralyze the Constitutional Court. Under the proposed changes to the Constitutional Court Procedure Act, the Court may find itself unable to carry out its constitutional mandate. This week, Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan will deliberate the amendments. If the amendments are passed in their current form, Taiwan could face nothing less than a full-blown constitutional crisis.

18. Dezember 2024

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The 2025 Polish Presidency of the Council

Poland’s 2025 Presidency of the Council of the EU arrives at a moment of political turbulence and high stakes, with security as its flagship theme. This short period will see the return of Donald Trump, the volatile German snap parliamentary election, and the buildup to Poland's own presidential election. While Poland’s government promises a fresh, value-driven approach, its own challenges in fully restoring the rule of law and balancing pragmatism with EU ideals may temper its ambitions.

18. Dezember 2024

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In ruhige Gewässer

Rechte der Natur erregen die Gemüter. In Deutschland riefen jüngst zwei Urteile des LG Erfurt heftige Reaktionen hervor. Auch in Spanien, wo bereits 2022 mit der Salzwasserlagune Mar Menor das erste europäische Ökosystem mit Rechten ausgestattet wurde, um die fortschreitende Zerstörung durch Pestizideintrag zu stoppen, wurden hitzige Debatten geführt. Am 20.11.2024 hat das spanische Verfassungsgericht die Verfassungskonformität dieses Rechtsakts bestätigt und damit die Debatte in verfassungsrechtlich ruhigere Gewässer gelenkt.

18. Dezember 2024

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