CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS AND CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT

Constitutional courts across Southeast Europe are currently navigating what can only be described as an existential dilemma. More than three decades after the initial democratic transitions, these institutions find themselves defending the rule of law against systematic threats like state capture, attacks on judicial independence, and coordinated delegitimization campaigns. These are not merely hypothetical risks but lived realities that challenge the very foundation of constitutional order. The traditional debate between judicial activism and restraint often fails to provide an adequate answer to these modern pressures. Consequently, there is a pressing need for a more precise, practical understanding of when a court must act assertively to defend constitutional essentials and when strategic caution might better serve long term institutional survival.

To explore these complexities, we are inviting contributions centered on the concept of a militant rule of law. Drawing inspiration from the German experience with “resilient democracy,” this framework suggests that constitutional courts cannot remain passive spectators when the system is attacked through formally legal mechanisms, such as court packing or jurisdictional stripping. We are seeking articles that move beyond abstract theory to address how courts can identify the threshold for action and what doctrinal tools, such as proportionality or the protection of an unamendable core, are most effective in practice. This intellectual inquiry is particularly significant as the topic will be the central focus of a dedicated panel at the ICON·S Balkans Inaugural Conference in Belgrade. You can find comprehensive information regarding the broader event at the official conference website.

The Law and Governance Blog South East Europe serves as the primary platform for these contributions. Accepted articles will be published in the weeks preceding the conference to ensure wide visibility among judges, policymakers, and legal practitioners. Notably, the organizers may invite authors of the most outstanding submissions to participate directly in the conference panel in Belgrade, with travel and accommodation costs covered. This represents a unique opportunity for emerging and established researchers to engage in a direct dialogue with serving constitutional court judges and international experts.

Submissions should begin with a short article pitch and a brief narrative CV sent latest by May 31, 2026. Once a pitch is accepted, the deadline for the full blog article, ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 words, is July 1, 2026. For detailed instructions on submission formats, technical requirements, and the review process, please refer to the formal Call for Contributions. All pitches and final articles must be submitted via email to [email protected]