Are constitutional judges well equipped to deal with fundamental constitutional questions about the EU? Should national constitutional courts aim to address the EU democratic deficit? Several scholars see national constitutional courts as a constructive force in the EU legal order. Nik de Boer argues differently and reasons why is it better to leave certain issues to parliaments rather than constitutional courts?

In this conversation with Kasia Krzyżanowska, Nik de Boer discusses hisrecent book “Judging European Democracy. The Role and Legitimacy of National Constitutional Courts in the EU” (Oxford University Press 2023).

Nik de Boer is Associate Professor in Constitutional Law at the University of Amsterdam, a member of the editorial board of the European Constitutional Law Review and afounding board member of the University of Amsterdam’s platform for Democratic Resilience (DEMRES). His research focuses on constitutional courts, EU constitutional law, central banks and democratic backsliding.