On 8 March 2013, the government of the USA raised its concerns both about the content of the proposed amendments ""as they could threaten the principles of institutional independence and checks and balances that are the hallmark of democratic governance"" and about the process by which they were to be accepted: ""USA "urges the Government of Hungary and the Parliament to ensure that the process of considering amendments to the constitution demonstrates respect for the rule of law and judicial review, openness to the views of other stakeholders across Hungarian society, and continuing receptiveness to the expertise of the Council of Europe's Venice Commission.""