“Pravova derzhava”. Issue 37 (2026), pages 660–676.

DOI: 10.33663/0869-2491-2026-37-660-676

Falalieieva Liudmyla, Beschastnyy Victor
The Europeanization of constitutions: experience of European Union Member States in the context of Ukraine’s candidate status

ISSN online: 2617-9776 print: 0869-2491

Introduction. This study analyses the Europeanisation of the supreme laws of European Union Member States in the context of Ukraine’s acquisition of candidate country status for accession to the European Union (hereinafter referred to as the EU). It highlights contemporary approaches, theoretical differences and existing practices 

in the field of the Europeanisation of constitutions, reflecting the specific features of European integration. Particular attention is paid to the potential impact of the process of European integration on the Constitution of Ukraine.

The aim of the article. It should be noted that, in scientific literature, there has been no comprehensive analysis of the Europeanisation of the constitutions of EU Member States, nor of the need to take this into account in view of Ukraine’s candidate status. This determines the purpose of the study and its theoretical and methodological basis, emphasising the relevance and importance of systematically analysing the selected issues for practical purposes.

Results. The research highlights systemic priorities, core elements, defining parameters, legal factors, existing gaps and conflicts, unresolved issues, the current state of affairs, the latest approaches and established / different practices in the context of the issues outlined (such as the recognition and consolidation at the constitutional level of the primacy of EU law over domestic law of Member States), which reflect the specifics of European integration, giving rise to qualitatively new interrelations with domestic law.

Conclusions. In light of Ukraine’s candidate status, analysis of the above experience leads to the conclusion that there is no unified model for the Europeanisation of national constitutions. The choice between incorporating acquis norms into the text of the Constitution (as in Croatia), introducing special control mechanisms and transferring some powers (as in the Czech Republic and Romania), or constitutionally enshrining them without directly mentioning the EU, subject to strict procedural legitimisation of the transfer of certain sovereign powers (as in Slovenia and Poland) depends on the political context, constitutional tradition, conceptual approaches and level of institutional stability of a state.

The Court of Justice of the EU is consistently strengthening its legal position on the principles of autonomy and primacy of EU law, and its role in shaping and establishing European constitutional tradition through the mechanism of preliminary rulings is growing. In light of the unique legal nature of the association and the potential for membership, it is crucial for Ukraine to not only enshrine the relationship between national and EU law in its constitution, but also to formally transfer some of its sovereign powers to a supranational level. While not denying Ukraine’s constitutional identity, European integration presents new challenges, the implementation of which will determine the dynamics of such an integration as one of the priorities of its foreign policy.

Keywords: Constitution of Ukraine, European Union, EU law, EU founding treaties, European integration, Europeanization of constitutions, candidate country.

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Дата першого надходження рукопису до видання: 19.01.2026
Дата прийнятого до друку рукопису після рецензування: 03.03.2026
Дата публікації: 24.03.2026