The Division of Competence in the Areas of State Security and Foreign Affairs Within the Executive Branch in Light of the 1997 Constitution of the Republic of Poland Cover Image

The Division of Competence in the Areas of State Security and Foreign Affairs Within the Executive Branch in Light of the 1997 Constitution of the Republic of Poland
The Division of Competence in the Areas of State Security and Foreign Affairs Within the Executive Branch in Light of the 1997 Constitution of the Republic of Poland

Author(s): Krzysztof Urbaniak
Subject(s): Government/Political systems, Security and defense, Peace and Conflict Studies
Published by: Uniwersytet Adama Mickiewicza
Keywords: Council of Ministers; President; Constitution; security; foreign policy;

Summary/Abstract: Pursuant to Article 10 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, executive power is vested in the President of the Republic of Poland and the Council of Ministers. Implemented in Poland, the dualism of the executive branch creates a problem with the division of duties and competence between the cabinet and the head of state. This paper analyses the division of powers within the executive branch in the areas of state security and foreign policy. The analysis of the constitutional provisions and the political practice indicates that the model of cooperation between the President and the cabinet as adopted in the Constitution of 1997 is ineffective and leads to political conflicts. In view of the Polish political conditions, it is advisable to amend the Constitution in order to move away from the mixed model towards either the presidential model or the parlia mentary-cabinet model of the executive branch of government.

  • Issue Year: VII/2017
  • Issue No: 10
  • Page Range: 209-222
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: English