Poland's Political System and Public Administration
Domain 4 covers the 1997 Constitution, the central organs, and the difference between self-government and government administration.
Sejm and Senate
Sejm: 460 deputies, 4-year term, 41 districts, D'Hondt, 5%/8% thresholds. Powers: legislation, budget, confidence in the government, 3/5 override of a presidential veto, 2/3 for constitutional amendment. Senate: 100 senators in single-member FPTP districts; it may amend or reject statutes (Sejm overrides by absolute majority) and consents to certain appointments and referendums.
President and government
The President is directly elected by absolute majority for 5 years, maximum two terms. Instruments: legislative initiative, veto (no partial veto), referral of statutes to the TK, pardons (not for TK or State Tribunal convictions), supreme command of the armed forces, treaty ratification. The Council of Ministers, led by the Prime Minister, is appointed by the Sejm by absolute majority. A constructive vote of no confidence needs 231 votes and a named successor.
Other organs
Constitutional Tribunal (15 judges), Trybunał Stanu (constitutional responsibility), NIK (audit), RPO (rights protection), KRRiT (media).
Self-government versus administration
Gmina (basic), powiat, województwo: elected, own tasks, own budgets. The voivode represents the government in the region and is not a self-government organ.
Worked example
A bill passes; the President vetoes it. The Sejm has 460 seats, quorum is 230, and the override needs 3/5 of votes cast. If all 460 vote, 276 are needed; if 380 vote, 228 suffice; if only 229 attend, the sitting cannot decide. Answering 'always 276' is wrong because the base is votes cast, provided the quorum is met.
Traps
- The Senate plays no part in overriding a veto.
- No partial or line-item veto in Poland.
- Constitutional amendment: 2/3 in the Sejm plus an absolute majority in the Senate, or a nationwide referendum.
- Citizens' legislative initiative needs 100,000 signatures; a referendum request needs 500,000.