Top court rules referendum bids on Fudan University, jobless benefits unconstitutional

The ruling means that a referendum cannot be held on those issues.

In its justification, the Constitutional Court said a national referendum on the planned Budapest campus of Fudan University could not be held because it concerned an international agreement between Hungary and the People’s Republic of China. Meanwhile, the issue of extending the eligibility period for jobless benefits cannot be put to a vote because it would impact the state budget, the court said.

Under Hungarian law, referendums cannot be initiated on subjects which would affect obligations stemming from an international agreement and ones that involve changes in public finance.

Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony announced last July that he would initiate a referendum on five issues. In August, Hungary’s National Election Committee certified two of those referendum questions; one on Fudan University’s Budapest campus and one on the extension of jobless benefits. The questions were approved by the Kuria in December.

The Kuria’s rulings were appealed to the Constitutional Court.

Commenting on the ruling, Karacsony said the Constitutional Court had “done the political bidding” of the ruling Fidesz party.

In a Facebook post, Karacsony said it appeared that the ruling parties “only like to reference the people but are actually afraid of them”, adding that future generations would judge the members of the court.

The mayor said the city council would now have to find a way for Budapest residents to express their opinions on the two issues in question.