Hungary and Poland display the features of illiberal constitutionalism within which democracy has deteriorated, the rule of law is abused, and human rights are misused by populist rulers led by an autocratic leader. The constraint on public power can be found within the European Union. Hungarian and Polish constitutional courts have used the idea of national identity (sovereignty) as an excuse to limit the constraining effect of EU Membership. The next few years may be decisive for the European project, Hungary and Poland as general elections approach. Within the new project, the question of the future of Hungary and Poland will be sought. While the liberal way out seems to be the last possible due to the unbalanced national identity of both societies, the illiberal way is possible even if Orban and Kaczyński lose their power. The further existence of illiberal regimes may be harmful not only for Hungary (Hungarians) and Poland (Poles) but also for the European Union and its Member States.
Speakers:
Agnieszka Bień-Kacała is an Associate Professor of constitutional law at the Faculty of Law and Administration, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland. Her research expertise covers liberal and illiberal constitutionalism, constitutional changes, Polish and comparative constitutional law. She provides expertise to the Marshal of the Polish Senat. Her new, co-authored (with Timea Drinóczi) book Illiberal Constitutionalism in Poland and Hungary: the Deterioration of Democracy, Misuse of Human Rights and Abuse of the Rule of Law has been published by Routledge (2021).”
Tímea Drinóczi is a Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Law, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. She served as a Professor at Kenyatta University School of Law, Kenya in 2018-2019, and Full Professor at the University of Pécs (2002-2021). Her research interest covers comparative constitutional change, illiberal constitutionalism, constitutional identity and the theory and practise of legislation. She provides expertise to OSCE ODIHR in constitutional and legislative matters. Her previous, co-edited (with Agnieszka Bien-Kacalai) book Rule of Law, Common Values, and Illiberal Constitutionalism Poland and Hungary within the European Union was also published by Routledge (2021).
Moderator:
Marlene Laruelle, Ph.D., is Director of the Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies; Director of the Central Asia Program; Director of the Illiberalism Studies Program; Co-Director of PONARS Eurasia; and Research Professor of International Affairs at The George Washington University. She works on political, social, and cultural changes in the post-Soviet space. Marlene’s research explores the transformations of nationalist and conservative ideologies in Russia, nationhood construction in Central Asia, as well as the development of Russia’s Arctic regions.