The Rule of Law in Troubled Waters: Narrating Rights, Democracy and Challenges

This chapter analyses the rule of law discourses in the parliaments of Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia regarding rights, democracy and challenges. Since 1989, the term ‘rule of law’ has become widely used, especially by (opposition) MPs, who mentioned it when denouncing problems. As we show in this chapter, the term became a trigger word, associated with various shortcomings, conflicts and accusations, and with the increasing relevance of the judiciary, which was perceived as politicised in some parliaments. The handling of rights was very controversial in some parliaments while a topic of minor relevance in others. The relationship between the rule of law and democracy seemed less uncontroversial at first glance, but it was disputed in certain parliaments and periods. The chapter also demonstrates that a number of aspects were described as challenges to the rule of law across party lines, often with country-specific narratives. Finally, established rhetorical divides existed regarding some challenges to the rule of law. To substantiate our interpretations, we provide various illustrative quotes.