Hungary's new constitution has stood the test of time and the storm it had caused has passed, Bence Retvari, the justice state secretary, said on Friday.

Hungary's new basic law, in force for nearly two years, is built on modern, firm foundations and a rule of law, and its criticism has been disproven, Retvari told a press conference.

The constitution or the media law has not hurt the freedom of the press, as it was feared, parliament's control over the executive power remained in place and the constitutional court continued to annul bills, just like in previous years, he said. The president, too, frequently demonstrates a role of balance and sends back laws to parliament for review, he added.

Procedures like the infringement procedure against Hungary over the judicial system or the excessive deficit procedure have been terminated and the Venice Commission has taken Hungary off its agenda.

Other countries are taking over innovations from Hungary, including the debt ceiling, family taxation and the banking tax. The European Union is debating a proposal to ban cloning in the way that Hungary's basic law does, he added.

Hungary's constitution was first to adopt the EU's fundamental rights charter, to protect sign language and enforce a ban on waste imports. It confirms Hungary's GMO-free status and prevents off-shore companies from accessing public funds. The constitution also protects the family and marriage as long-term values and it contains rights and responsibilities to increase national wealth. It condemns Nazi and Communist dictatorships and calls on the state to prosecute crimes in connection with them, he said.

(Ministry of Public Administration and Justice)