The current Fundamental Law of of Hungary was adopted over a year ago, in April 2011. Due to this anniversary the recent research of Republikon Institution has looked how the so called ’National Avowal ’preamble fits the constitution’s introductions of  Central and Eastern European and wider European countries. Preambles in general Preambles are usually can be found in the beginning of the text of laws. They could function as a foreword: the legislators mainly mark…

Two years ago, here in Wrocław [at Wrocław Global Forum], you called United States and Europe “G2 of the world” and today you referred to them as “catamaran on stormy waters”, so I was wondering if you think that we can observe serious, permanent shift of power in contemporary world or just this storm that is going to pass? Well, I hope it’s a storm that is going to pass and I hope that we…

An answer to this rather broad question is one of the issues that formed the subject of Alexander Fink´s presentation during the discussion forum on the topic of “East German Transformation and German Public Finance” organised by Liberalni Institut on Wednesday, March 14, 2012.  Before we are able to even tackle this question, it is necessary to put it in to proper context. The first issue that Mr. Fink discussed was the method of evaluation…

Voters decided if they still want to live on others‘ money. Savings or growth? A false dilemma with irresistible sex appeal to politicians. The Golden Dawn in Greece. Why Hugh Hendry is concerned about his assets in Europe? In Spain thr nationalization of banks‘ debts is launched – will they manage to break record annual deficit of Ireland (32% of GDP)? French and Greeks were voting during the weekend. Results of both elections will lead to…

ACTA will not enter into force. Thousands of demonstrators opposed it. Polish Minister of Culture and National Heritage – Bogdan Zdrojewski – discussed Polish drive for liberty and assumed that “we may also take pride in the protests of Internet users”. Nevertheless, everyone wonders why people started to demonstrate against the agreement. If nothing unexpected happens, the problem with the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement will be solved in the middle of the current year. The agreement…

As The Lithuania Tribune writes a new party was granted a persmission fo be registered – the Lithuanian People’s Party, established by Vladimir Romanov. After regsistration in the Register of Legal Entities party will be formally set up. At the same time documents submitted by Democratic and Labour Party and Emigrants Party were rejected as they failed to “meet the legal requirements”. To take part in the closest parliamentary elections, the parties will have to…

The Lithuania Tribune writes that on March 29 president Dalia Grybauskaitė met with Johaness Hahn, EU Commissioner for Regional Policy. The main topics of the meeting included EU financial framework for the period 2014-2020 and the EU Cohesion Policy. Dalia Grybauskaitė expressed Lithuanian dissatisfaction with the proposal concerning rules of EU aid’s distribution. Lithuania puts emphasis on the importance of the interests and member states’ level of development. More information here.  

As The Slovak Spectator writes on March 19 Robert Fico confirmed next nominations for the ministers in his government – Martin Glváč will become defence minister and Peter Žiga will serve as environment minister. The new government will take office next week, on April 4. The Slovak Spectator summarized already known nominations in a new government: Robert Kalinak will serve as interior minister, Peter Kazimir as minister of finance, Jan Pociatek as minister of transport,…

photo: League of Women Voters in California

As the portal czechposition.com writes Czech government adopted a proposal concerning national referenda which gives Czechs the chance to vote in referendum on important national and foreign issues. According to the proposal calling referendum 250,000 signatures under a petition and for the referendum to be valid the turnout cannot be lower than 50% of the voters. The latest referendum in Czech Republic took place in 2003 and Czechs voted in favour of joining the European…