Parliament elects Sonnevend as Constitutional Court judge

The Hungarian Parliament has elected Pál Sonnevend to the Constitutional Court, a move that has drawn attention due to his past writings on constitutional reform.

Sonnevend, who will take over the seat previously held by Hende Csaba, published an article titled "Constitutional Repair!" on the Verfassungsblog in May 2026. The article, which translates roughly to "constitutional restoration," proposed concrete measures for altering the personal and organizational structures of public law institutions.

However, Sonnevend's appointment has sparked debate because, just months prior, he had argued that the premature termination of mandates for sitting constitutional judges could be acceptable under specific conditions. This stance has raised concerns among those who view it as potentially undermining judicial independence and stability.