Hungary's New Constitution

Hungary’s parliament has approved a new constitution that opponents claim has been rushed into law with little consultation and could undermine key democratic checks and balances.

The ruling conservative Fidesz party holds a two-thirds parliamentary majority, meaning it was never in danger of losing Monday’s vote, in spite of a boycott by opposition parties and a weekend of street protests.

The new document replaces Hungary’s current basic law which was drawn up in 1989 and 1990 and is based in large part on the communist era constitution.

But civil society groups and opposition parties warn that the new law embodies the ruling Fidesz party’s populist nationalist and overtly Christian outlook, and could serve to make future governments less stable.