Hungary president signs new contested constitution despite heavy criticism from civil groups, rights organizations and opposition parties

Hungarian President Pal Schmitt formally signed the country's new constitution into law on Monday, despite heavy criticism from civil groups, rights organizations and opposition parties. "A constitution is born, one which will be the pride of future generations of Hungarians," Schmitt said.

With the president's signature, the new basic law, which was already adopted by parliament a week ago, will enter into force on January 1, 2012. However, it has drawn heavy criticism not only from opposition parties, but also international rights groups, such as Amnesty International, which last week said the law "violates international and European human rights standards."

The new basic law is seen as a "coup" to cement the party's own power and keep it in control even if it is voted out of government. Under the text, a host of laws will require a two-thirds majority in parliament to be adopted.

When the law was put to parliament last week, the opposition Socialists and left-wing green LMP party boycotted both the vote and the preceding debate in the assembly, while the far-right Jobbik voted against the text.

Moreover, critics have slammed the new constitution as discriminatory.