US concerned about proposed amendments to Hungarian constitution

The United States shares the concerns expressed by the Council of Europe about proposed amendments to the Hungarian constitution, the U.S. State Department said Thursday evening. "These amendments deserve closer scrutiny and more deliberate consideration, as they could threaten the principles of institutional independence and checks and balances that are the hallmark of democratic governance," the statement said. The United States urges the government of Hungary and the Parliament to ensure that the process of considering amendments to the constitution demonstrates respect for the rule of law and judicial review, openness to the views of other stakeholders across Hungarian society and continuing receptiveness to the expertise of the Council of Europe's Venice Commission, it said.