The European Space of Fundamental Rights: From the Charter to the National Constitutions

This paper aims traces the major characteristics of the European space of fundamental rights, subsequent to the ratification of the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights. The emerging picture is one of complexity and work-in-progress, where the traditional roles of national Constitutions and domestic legal systems are experiencing a deep transformation. The existence of different levels of protection of the fundamental rights according to the EU Charter and national Constitutions, respectively, creates serious conflicts between the both legal spheres; their resolution requires a fine balance between the logic of European integration, on one hand, and the need for mutual accommodation of national legal frameworks, on the other.