Paper/Speech Details of Conference Program for the 15th NISPAcee Annual Conference Program Overview I. Working Group on Politico-Administrative Relations Author(s) Tatiana Majcherkiewicz Pedagogical University of Cracow Cracow Poland Title Governmentalizing the Polish executive File Paper files are available only for conference participants, please login first. Presenter Abstract The article focuses on three main issues of governmentalizing Polish politics. First, it can be seen in the growing prominence of government in relation to the presidency and parliament. The definition of the role of the presidency in the Constitution of 1997 was curbed compared to the initial strong prerogatives of the Small Constitution of 1992. Nevertheless, its role in comparison to other CEE countries has been quite strong. For example, the rare privilege of the president to initiate the legislative process has to be mentioned. He can also veto parliamentary acts. Nevertheless, in general since the beginning of transition the position of the president has been weakened and he performs increasingly representational duties, although there have been some temporary fluctuations (with an increase in the role of the president during periods of cohabitation). In relation to the limitation of the role of parliament, the crucial factor has been imposition of parliamentary discipline, which was achieved only quite recently (mostly since 2001). However, also can be seen in this area some individual cases reflecting the opposing trend. For example, recently, parliamentarians of the ruling coalition took the initiative and prepared the Civil Service Act, substantially modifying civil service organisation, an issue which should be at the heart of governmental decisions. Secondly, the issue of organisational structure and procedures of the central executive are presented. Attention is given to the central administration reform of 1996, in particular the transformation of the Office of the Council of the Ministries into the Prime Minister’s Chancellery. Extremely important in relation to this issue is the 1996 Act on the Council of Ministers defining organisation and procedures of government. The other important Act which increases the flexibility of government and enhances its autonomy towards parliament is the Act on Ministerial Sectors. This Act allows the prime minister to decide on the number and competencies of ministers. Since the collapse of communism the gradual rise to prominence of the primeministership is evident, in the constructive vote of no-confidence is one of his important prerogatives. The prominent role of the minister of finance and usually, at the same time, the deputy prime minister is also observable. In relation to specific Polish factors the weakening of the coordinative functions of the government during most of the period was also caused by the fact that leaders of parties forming government coalitions were not members of them. Thirdly, the organisation of the Prime Minister’s Chancellery is presented. Attempts to improve the performance of the Chancellery, indicated in June 1999 by the internal by-law that defined its organisation, have been modified since then in 2005 and 2006. The role of permanent committees of government (for most of the period, three committees: economic, socio-political and defence) in the legislative process has been crucial, as has the Governmental Legislative Centre established in January 2000. The other crucial institutions in the case of the Polish executive are the Office of European Integration and the Centre of Strategic Studies. Finally, the role of administrative staff will be mentioned with reference to concepts of civil service reform.
