Concerns raised over Hungary constitution

Concerns have been raised across Europe about the contents of Hungary's new constitution, which was passed by the country's parliament yesterday.

The document put forward by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government was approved by 262 votes to 44. But the Socialist and Green opposition boycotted the vote and the far-right Jobbik party voted against. The government insisted the changes strengthen Hungary's democracy and described it as the "rebirth" of the nation.

Although the constitution has been internationally praised for legally limiting the size of Hungary's national debt, a number of issues have caused controversy. These include sections emphasising the country's Christian heritage, limiting the authority of the courts, reducing the number of parliamentary ombudsmen and protecting life from conception – therefore raising questions about rules on abortion. The constitution also makes Hungary responsible for ethnic Hungarians living in other countries, which has raised concerns in Slovakia, Romania and Serbia where many live.

The controversy follows a dispute about Hungary's strict media laws earlier in the year. Dany Cohn-Bendit , the co-president of the Greens/European Free Alliance group in the European Parliament, said the constitution was a "throwback to the dark days of the last century". He accused Orbán of using his clear majority to steamroller the changes through the Hungarian parliament, adding: "That the outcome is a step backwards for pluralism and minority representation is not surprising but nonetheless disturbing, all the more so given Hungary currently retains the EU presidency."

President of the Liberal and Democrat group Guy Verhofstadt said it was the European Commission's duty to act if the constitution was incompatible with the values outlined in the Treaty of the European Union. "As the Hungarian prime minister has already indicated his willingness to provide the text for consideration by the commission, there should be no further obstacle for the examination to start as soon as possible," he said.

Verhofstadt called on Viviane Reding, the Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship to launch a formal assessment. Meanwhile Germany has also suggested that the changes are not compatible with European Union values.