President of the Republic of Poland
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Flag of the President of Poland |
The
President of the Republic of Poland (
Polish:
Prezydent Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej) is directly elected by the people to serve a term of five years. His rights and obligations are determined by the
Constitution of the
Republic of Poland. In accordance with the current Constitution, the President of the Republic of Poland is the head of state, the supreme representative of Poland and the guarantor of the continuity of government and is prevented from holding office for more than two consecutive terms. This means that the President heads the executive authority, is appointed to represent Polish interests on the international arena, ensures the observance of the Constitution, and is responsible for the security of the state. The President calls elections to the
Sejm and
Senate, and in extraordinary situations has the right to shorten their terms. He can call a national referendum in matters important for the state, requiring the decision of all the citizens.
The President has a free choice in selecting the
Prime Minister, yet in practice he usually does not give the task of forming a new government to a politician who does not command a majority in the Sejm.
The President has the opportunity to directly influence the legislative process by using his veto to stop a bill; however, his veto can be overruled by a three-fifths majority vote in the presence of at least half of the statutory number of members of the Sejm (230). Before signing a bill into law, the President can also ask the
Constitutional Tribunal to verify its compliance with the Constitution, which in practice bears a decisive influence on the legislative process.
In his role as supreme representative of the Polish state, the President ratifies and revokes international agreements, nominates and recalls ambassadors, and accepts the accreditations of representatives of other states. The President also makes decisions on the award of state distinctions and orders. In addition, he has the right of clemency, viz. he can dismiss final court verdicts (in practice, the President consults such decisions with the Minister of Justice).
The President is also the Supreme Commander of the
Armed Forces; he appoints the Chief of General Staff and the commanders of all the armed forces; in wartime he nominates the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and can order general mobilization. The President performs his duties with the help of the following offices: the Chancellery of the President, the Office of National Security, and the Body of Advisors to the President.
* Polish presidential elections of
1990,
1995,
2000,
2005*
Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland*
List of Polish presidents*
List of Polish monarchs*
Lists of incumbents*
Naczelnik państwa*
President of Poland Official Website
