Between the Lines of Constitutional Identity and Rule of Law: The Shades of Romanian Identitarian Walls in dialogue with the ECJ
Rezumat
Abstract: On a general note, the paper explores the concept of constitutional identity within the European Union (EU) and its significance in the European harmonization and unification process. It highlights the potential conflicts that may arise between the EU’s identity, defined by its shared core values, and the constitutional identities of its member states. This situation may present paradoxical conflictual instances for the existence and functionality of the EU. The rule of law is presented as a solution to these conflicts, preserving the integrity and legitimacy of the EU’s objectives and its common jus rationale. This is conditional on the meaningful and sincere appropriation by member states of a common understanding of the rule of law. As such, the classic questions arise: what is the rule of law? Are there different avatars of the rule of law? In this context (which may be philosophical), I will discuss whether constitutional identity is a national rule of law or whether the rule of law is – nowadays – a feature that national identity must adopt in the context of being part of a supranational legal and political entity built on certain common values assumed through membership. The paper leans towards the second hypothesis, arguing that the first only reflects the historical weaknesses of national systems based on national pride. While this pride is rational to some extent, it comes at the cost of the EU’s effectiveness. On a more concrete note, the paper focuses on the decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU; May 18th, 2021) regarding the impact of EU law on Romanian justice, as well as on the decision and subsequent responses of the Romanian Constitutional Court (CCR). The CCR’s decision and responses, which state, for example, that EU law does not replace the Romanian Constitution and propose a constitutional limit based on “national constitutional identity”, have sparked considerable controversy.
Keywords: (national/ European) rule of law, constitutional identity, European identity
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