POLSKA GOVERNMENT

The 1952 Constitution of Poland established the country as a people's republic. In theory, the working people of Poland held all political power. But the Communist Party actually controlled the government until a coalition government was formed in 1989. In addition to the Communist Party, the country allowed only a few other small parties, and they supported the Communist Party policies. But in 1989, Poland held its freest parliamentary elections since the Communists took control. Non-Communist groups were allowed to organize and endorse candidates. Solidarity, a non-Communist organization of free trade unions, received overwhelming support in the elections. Candidates endorsed by Solidarity were allowed to run for 35 percent of the seats in the lower house of parliament and all the seats in the upper house. The remaining 65 percent of the lower house seats were reserved for members of the Communist Party and its allies. Solidarity candidates won all the lower house seats they contested, and all but one of the upper house seats. Solidarity leaders then formed a coalition government with the Communist Party and two smaller parties, and began to end Communist controls over society. In 1990, the Communist Party dissolved itself. New parliamentary elections were held in October 1991. This time, all seats in Parliament were contested and none were reserved for members of any specific party. The Democratic Union party, which was formed out of a branch of Solidarity, won the most seats in both the lower house and the Senate. Parliamentary elections were held again in September 1993. The Democratic Left Alliance and the Polish Peasant Party won the most seats. The two parties established a coalition government. The Democratic Left Alliance consists of a number of organizations, including the Social Democratic Party, which was formed by former Communist Party members. The Polish Peasant Party also includes former Communists. National government. Poland's parliament, called the National Assembly, has two houses. The lower house, or Sejm, has 460 members. The upper house, or Senate, has 100 members. The National Assembly's duties include passing laws, supervising all the other branches of the government, and electing the president. The president is the head of state. The president's executive powers include the ability to declare a state of emergency, to veto legislation (which may be overturned by the Sejm), and to dissolve the National Assembly. The Sejm appoints a Council of Ministers, which carries out the operations of the government. The Council of Ministers includes a prime minister and other ministers. The prime minister is head of government. The prime minister and the president are the most powerful leaders in Poland. The other ministers head government departments. Local government. Poland is divided into 49 voivodships (provinces). The provinces are divided into urban and rural communities. Each province and community elects a legislative body called a Council. The Council elects a major or an executive council to serve as the executive body. Courts. The Supreme Court is the highest court of Poland. The Council of State appoints Supreme Court judges to five-year terms. The judicial system also includes province and county courts. Armed forces. About 400,000 men serve in Poland's army, navy, and air force. Men may be drafted at age 19.