The paper analyses the practice of the constitutional courts of Hungary, Serbia and Croatia, in terms of the constitutionality and legality of the normative responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in the countries examined. The goal is to critically present the arguments along which the constitutional courts ensured (or attempted to achieve) the balance between the protection of fundamental rights and the preservation of the public interest and public health in their decisions related to the COVID-19 pandemic; and to deduce whether any similarities can be discovered in the reasoning of the courts or they have adopted a completely different approach from each other. According to the results of the legislative research, regional experience of the examined neighbouring countries with similar legal and political traditions, constitutional court structures, and political leadership styles shows that even in circumstances of a global, uniform health crisis, distinct national reactions might be expected. However, on the other side, the case law research gave a completely different conclusion, supporting the highly similar reasoning of the constitutional courts that almost without exception have given priority to public interest in combating the epidemic over fundamental rights.

This report intends to summarize the academic discussions on actual parliamentary issues at the conference that took place in Athens, 13 June 2025.

Science has been and is a fundamentally defining factor in human history. Current achievements in technology, scientific development and the scientific method make it possible to explain, verify on a scientific basis any and all phenomena occurring today. Accordingly, science has a fundamental impact on how society operates. However, the proper functioning of society needs more: normative standards that the government, as public authority, can create (legislation) and implement (law enforcement) through its various governmental bodies. But how does this connect to science and scientific achievements? How do scientific achievements determine or may determine governmental function? In order to even attempt answering these questions, we have to take a detailed look at scientific thinking. In my study, I have prepared a thorough overview of the characteristics of science and scientific thinking, and their interconnections with governmental decision-making.