The control functions of Polish parliaments in the early nineteenth century Cover Image

Funkcje kontrolne parlamentów na ziemiach polskich w początkach XIX w.
The control functions of Polish parliaments in the early nineteenth century

Author(s): Piotr Miłosz Pilarczyk
Subject(s): Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence, History of Law
Published by: Uniwersytet Opolski
Keywords: Duchy of Warsaw; Kingdom of Poland; Republic of Cracow; the legislative; the executive; control; parliamentary accountability; constitutional responsibility

Summary/Abstract: One of the aspects of the principle of separation of powers in the state is control of the executive by the legislature. As regards the Polish lands in the early nineteenth century, we can speak about Polish parliamentarism only in the Duchy of Warsaw, the Kingdom of Poland and the Republic of Cracow. Although these states did not recognize the principle of parliamentary accountability, their parliaments voiced criticism of the authorities and there occurred the problem of controlling the executive. Parliament of the Duchy of Warsaw tried to usurp this right itself. Parliament of the Kingdom of Poland claimed the right to charge a civil officer of the government with crimes committed while in office. In that state the ability to control emerged during the November Uprising. In the Republic of Cracow all attempts at obtaining the right of control encountered the objection on the part of three supervising neighbours (Russia, Prussia, and Austria).

  • Issue Year: XIV/2016
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 143-158
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Polish