The last century saw the global rise of independent constitutional courts, now present in over 80 countries. Paradoxically, this very institution has served a counterintuitive role in democratic backsliding: stabilizing, rather than constraining, executive power grabs. The core question is simple: why do constitutional courts often make democratic erosion easier by legally validating contested reforms? This article argues that courts can function as commitment devices for illiberal incumben

On January 1st 2026 we will celebrate the 33rd anniversary of establishing the European Single Market. Although we have built one of the most integrated markets in the world, alcohol policy remains a patchwork of national regulations. The European framework for action on alcohol, (2022–2025) which paves the way towards implementation of the global Action Plan (2022–2030), addressed the difficulties of a fragmented response as a main issue with effective implementing of the plan just next to com