Editing Politics of Poland

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Infobox political system
| name                          = Politics of Poland 
| image                         = Herb Polski.svg
| image_size                    = 101
| caption                       = [[Coat of arms of Poland]]
| government                    = [[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Semi-presidential system|semi-presidential]] constitutional republic
| constitution                  = [[Constitution of Poland]] (1997)
| formation                     = 30 December 1989 ([[History of Poland (1989–present)|Third Polish Republic]]){{-}}17 October 1997 (constitution went into force)
| dissolution                   = 
| website                       =  
| legislature                   = [[Parliament of Poland|Parliament]]
| legislature_type              = [[Bicameralism|Bicameral]]
| legislature_place             = [[Sejm and Senate Complex of Poland]]
| legislature_speaker           = 
| legislature_speaker_title     = 
| upperhouse                    = [[Senate of Poland]]
| upperhouse_speaker            = [[Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska]]
| upperhouse_appointer          = [[First-past-the-post voting|First-past-the-post]]
| lowerhouse                    = [[Sejm]]
| lowerhouse_speaker            = [[Szymon Hołownia]]
| lowerhouse_speaker_title      = [[Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland|Marshal of the Sejm]]
| lowerhouse_appointer          = [[Open list|Open-list]] [[proportional representation]] in [[Electoral districts of Poland|41 constituencies]] (5% national [[election threshold]])
| title_hos                     = [[President of Poland|President]]
| current_hos                   = [[Andrzej Duda]]
| appointer_hos                 = [[Elections in Poland|Direct popular vote]], [[two-round system]]
| title_hog                     = [[Prime Minister of Poland|Prime Minister]]
| current_hog                   = [[Donald Tusk]]
| appointer_hog                 = Sejm
| cabinet                       = [[Council of Ministers (Poland)|Government of the Republic of Poland]]
| current_cabinet               = [[Third Cabinet of Donald Tusk|Cabinet of Donald Tusk]]
| cabinet_leader                = Prime Minister
| cabinet_deputyleader          = [[Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz]], Deputy Prime Minister<br/>[[Krzysztof Gawkowski]], Deputy Prime Minister
| cabinet_appointer             = Sejm
| cabinet_hq                    = [[Sejm and Senate Complex of Poland]]
| cabinet_ministries            = [[Third Cabinet of Donald Tusk|26]]
| judiciary                     = [[Judiciary of Poland]] 
| judiciary_head                = 
| law                           = [[Law of Poland]]
| court                         = [[Constitutional Tribunal (Poland)|Constitutional Tribunal]]
| chief_judge                    = vacant de jure <br />
[[Julia Przyłębska]] de facto (position usurped)
                         
}}
{{Politics of Poland}}
The '''government of [[Poland]]''' takes the form of a [[Unitary state|unitary]] [[semi-presidential republic|semi-presidential]] [[Representative democracy|representative democratic]] [[republic]], whereby the [[President of Poland|president]] is the [[head of state]] and the [[Prime Minister of Poland|prime minister]] is the [[head of government]].<ref name="Veser1997">{{cite journal |last=Veser |first=Ernst |author-link=:de:Ernst Veser |date=23 September 1997 |title=Semi-Presidentialism-Duverger's Concept — A New Political System Model |url=http://www.rchss.sinica.edu.tw/publication/ebook/journal/11-01-1999/11_1_2.pdf |access-date=21 August 2017 |publisher=Department of Education, School of Education, [[University of Cologne]] |language=en, zh |pages=39–60 |quote=Duhamel has developed the approach further: He stresses that the French construction does not correspond to either parliamentary or the presidential form of government, and then develops the distinction of 'système politique' and 'régime constitutionnel'. While the former comprises the exercise of power that results from the dominant institutional practice, the latter is the totality of the rules for the dominant institutional practice of the power. In this way, France appears as 'presidentialist system' endowed with a 'semi-presidential regime' (1983: 587). By this standard he recognizes Duverger's ''pléiade'' as semi-presidential regimes, as well as Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Lithuania (1993: 87). }}</ref><ref name="Draft">{{cite journal |last=Shugart |first=Matthew Søberg |author-link=Matthew Søberg Shugart |date=September 2005 |title=Semi-Presidential Systems: Dual Executive and Mixed Authority Patterns |url=http://dss.ucsd.edu/~mshugart/semi-presidentialism.pdf |journal=Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080819200307/http://dss.ucsd.edu/~mshugart/semi-presidentialism.pdf |archive-date=19 August 2008 |access-date=21 August 2017 }}</ref><ref name="Shugart2005">{{cite journal |last=Shugart |first=Matthew Søberg |author-link=Matthew Søberg Shugart |date=December 2005 |title=Semi-Presidential Systems: Dual Executive And Mixed Authority Patterns |url=https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1057%2Fpalgrave.fp.8200087.pdf |journal=French Politics |volume=3 |issue=3 |pages=323–351 |doi=10.1057/palgrave.fp.8200087 |doi-access=free |access-date=21 August 2017 |quote=Even if the president has no discretion in the forming of cabinets or the right to dissolve parliament, his or her constitutional authority can be regarded as 'quite considerable' in Duverger's sense if cabinet legislation approved in parliament can be blocked by the people's elected agent. Such powers are especially relevant if an extraordinary majority is required to override a veto, as in Mongolia, Poland, and Senegal. In these cases, while the government is fully accountable to parliament, it cannot legislate without taking the potentially different policy preferences of the president into account. }}</ref><ref name="McMenamin" >{{cite journal |last=McMenamin |first=Iain |title=Semi-Presidentialism and Democratisation in Poland |url= http://webpages.dcu.ie/~mcmenami/Poland_semi-presidentialism_2.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120212225305/http://webpages.dcu.ie/~mcmenami/Poland_semi-presidentialism_2.pdf |archive-date=12 February 2012 |publisher=School of Law and Government, [[Dublin City University]] |access-date=11 December 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Poland 1997 (rev. 2009) |url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Poland_2009?lang=en |website=www.constituteproject.org |access-date=9 October 2021}}</ref><ref name="CIA-2021">{{cite web |title=Poland - The World Factbook |date=22 September 2021 |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/poland/#government |url-status=live |access-date=8 October 2021 |archive-date=8 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008070737/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/poland/ }}</ref>

[[Executive power]] is exercised, within the framework of a [[multi-party system]], by the president and the Government, which consists of the [[Cabinet of Poland|Council of Ministers]] led by the prime minister. Its members are typically chosen from the majority party or coalition, in the lower house of parliament (the ''[[Sejm]]''), although exceptions to this rule are not uncommon. The government is formally announced by the president, and must pass a [[motion of confidence]] in the ''Sejm'' within two weeks.

[[Legislative power]] is vested in the two chambers of parliament, ''[[Sejm of the Republic of Poland|Sejm]]'' and [[Senate of the Republic of Poland|Senate]]. Members of Sejm are elected by proportional representation, with the proviso that non-ethnic-minority parties must gain at least 5% of the national vote to enter the lower house. Currently five parties are represented. Parliamentary elections occur at least every four years.

The [[President of the Republic of Poland|president]], as the [[head of state]], is the supreme commander of the [[Polish Armed Forces|Armed Forces]], has the power to veto legislation passed by parliament, which may be overridden by a majority of three fifths, and can dissolve the parliament under certain conditions.<ref name="Draft" /><ref name="Shugart2005" /><ref name="McMenamin" /> Presidential elections occur every five years. When a majority of voters support the same candidate, that candidate is declared the winner, while when there is no majority, the top two candidates participate in a runoff election.

The political system is defined in the [[Constitution of the Republic of Poland|Polish Constitution]], which also guarantees a wide range of individual freedoms. The [[judiciary|judicial branch]] plays a minor role in politics, apart from the [[Constitutional Tribunal of the Republic of Poland|Constitutional Tribunal]], which can annul laws that violate the freedoms guaranteed in the constitution.

== Executive branch ==
The prime minister proposes, the president appoints, and the ''[[Sejm]]'' approves the Council of Ministers. The president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term, while the prime minister and deputy prime ministers (if any) are appointed by the president and confirmed by the ''Sejm''. The [[Council of Ministers of Poland|Council of Ministers]] is responsible to the prime minister and the ''Sejm''.
{| class="wikitable" 
|+ Main office holders
|-
! Office !! Name  !! Party !! Since
|-
|[[President of Poland|President]]
|[[Andrzej Duda]]
|[[Law and Justice]]
|6 August 2015
|-
|[[Prime Minister of Poland|Prime Minister]] 
|[[Donald Tusk]]
|[[Civic Platform]]
|13 December 2023
|}

===Head of state===
The president is elected by terms; as head of state, supreme commander of the [[Armed forces of poland|Armed Forces]], and supreme representative of the Republic of Poland. The president has the right to veto legislation, although veto may be overridden by the assembly with a three-fifths majority vote.<ref name="Draft" /><ref name="Shugart2005" /> The president, as representative of the state in foreign affairs, shall ratify and renounce international agreements, appoint and recall the plenipotentiary representatives of the Republic of Poland and shall cooperate with the prime minister and the appropriate minister in respect of foreign policy. As Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the president shall appoint the [[Chief of the General Staff (Poland)|chief of the General Staff]] and commanders of branches of the Armed Forces.

The president may, regarding particular matters, convene the [[Cabinet Council of Poland|Cabinet Council]], although it does not possess the competence of the Council of Ministers. Official acts of the president shall require, for their validity, the signature of the prime minister, nevertheless this does not apply to:

#nominating and appointing the prime minister
#shortening of the term of office of the ''Sejm'' in the instances specified in the Constitution
#introducing legislation
#requesting the ''Sejm'' to appoint the president of the [[National Bank of Poland]]
#appointing judges
#proclaiming the holding of a nationwide referendum (a consent of the Senate is required)
#signing or refusing to sign a bill
#appointing the first president of the [[Supreme Court of Poland|Supreme Court]], president of the [[Constitutional Tribunal (Poland)|Constitutional Tribunal]], members of the [[Council for Monetary Policy]], appointing and dismissing members of the [[National Security Council (Poland)|National Security Council]]
#exercising the power of pardon
#convening the Cabinet Council

== Legislative branch ==
{{office-table}}
|[[Marshal of the Senate of Poland|Marshal of the Senate]]
|[[Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska]]
|[[Civic Platform]]
|13 November 2023
|-
|[[List of Sejm Marshals|Marshal of the Sejm]]
|[[Szymon Hołownia]]
|[[Poland 2050]]
|13 November 2023
|}
[[File:Zgromadzenie Narodowe 4 czerwca 2014 Kancelaria Senatu 03.JPG|thumb|250px|Sejm Plenary Hall]]
The [[Polish Parliament]] has two [[bicameralism|chambers]]. The [[lower chamber]] (''[[Sejm]]'') has 460 members, elected for a four-year term by [[proportional representation]] in multi-seat [[constituency|constituencies]] using the [[d'Hondt method]] similar to that used in many parliamentary political systems, with a 5% threshold (8% for coalitions, threshold waived for national minorities). The [[Senate of Poland|Senate]] (''Senat'') has 100 members elected for a four-year term under the single member, one-round [[first-past-the-post voting]] method. When sitting in joint session, members of the Sejm and Senate form the National Assembly, ([[Polish language|Polish]] ''Zgromadzenie Narodowe''). 

The National Assembly is formed on three occasions: Taking the oath of office by a new president, bringing an indictment against the president of the republic to the [[State Tribunal (Poland)|Tribunal of State]], and declaration of a President's permanent incapacity to exercise their duties due to the state of their health. Only the first kind has occurred to date. Since 1991 elections are supervised by the [[National Electoral Commission (Poland)|National Electoral Commission]] (''Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza''), whose administrative division is called the [[National Electoral Office]] (''Krajowe Biuro Wyborcze'').

== Judicial branch ==
{{Main|Judiciary of Poland}}

=== Justice ===

Together with the tribunals, courts form part of the judiciary in Poland.<ref>{{cite book |title=Art. 10 sec. 2 of the Polish Constitution |url=https://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm }}</ref> Among the bodies that administer the justice system, the following are distinguished:<ref>{{cite web |title=Art. 175 sec. 1 of the Constitution |url=https://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm |access-date=9 April 2021}}</ref>

* Supreme Court;
* 
* common courts;
* 
* administrative courts;
* 
* military courts.

Moreover, in times of war, the Constitution allows for the establishment of [[extraordinary courts]] or the establishment of an ad hoc procedure.<ref>{{cite web |title=Art. 175 sec. 2 of Constitution |url=https://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm |access-date=9 April 2021}}</ref> Court proceedings have at least two instances.<ref>{{cite web |title=Art. 176 sec. 1 of the Constitution |url=https://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm |access-date=9 April 2021}}</ref> The main laws regulating the operation of the judiciary are:

* The Act of 27 July 2001 - Law on the System of Common Courts;
* 
* The Act of July 25, 2002 - Law on the System of Administrative Courts;
* 
* The Act of August 21, 1997 - Law on the System of Military Courts;
* 
* The Act of 23 November 2002 on the Supreme Court;
* 
* The Act of 27 July 2001 on the National Council of the Judiciary.

=== Judges ===

Judges are appointed by the president, at the request of the National Council of the Judiciary, for an indefinite period.<ref name="Art. 179 of Constitution">{{cite web |title=Art. 179 of Constitution |url=https://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm |access-date=9 April 2021}}</ref> They cannot belong to political parties or trade unions,<ref>{{cite web |title=Art. 178 sec. 3 of Constitution |url=https://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm |access-date=9 April 2021}}</ref> are independent, and are subject only to the Constitution and statutes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Art. 178 sec. 2 of Constitution |url=https://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm |access-date=9 April 2021}}</ref> They are entitled to immunity and personal inviolability.<ref>{{cite web |title=Art. 181 of Constitution |url=https://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm |access-date=9 April 2021}}</ref> Judges are also irremovable <ref>{{cite web |title=Art. 190 sec. 1 of Constitution |url=https://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm |access-date=9 April 2021}}</ref> and their removal from office or suspension requires a court decision.<ref>{{cite web |title=Art. 180 sec. 2 of Constitution |url=https://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm |access-date=9 April 2021}}</ref> The participation of other citizens in the administration of justice{{huh|date=December 2024}} is defined by law <ref>{{cite web |title=Art. 182 of Constitution |url=https://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm |access-date=9 April 2021}}</ref> and boils down to the application of the system of a lay judge in the first instance in common and military courts.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Garlicki |first1=Leszek |title=Polskie prawo konstytucyjne |date=2007 |publisher=Liber |isbn=978-83-7206-142-3 |page=346 |edition=11}}</ref>

=== Supreme Court ===

The Supreme Court (Supreme Court) is a supervisory body over common and military courts.<ref>{{cite web |title=Art. 182 sec. 1 of Constitution |url=https://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm |access-date=9 April 2021}}</ref> It is headed by the first president of the Supreme Court, appointed for a six-year term by the president of the Republic of Poland, from among candidates presented by the General Assembly of the Supreme Court of Justice.<ref>{{cite web |title=Art. 183 sec. 2 of Constitution |url=https://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm |access-date=9 April 2021}}</ref> Until 2018, the court was divided into four chambers: Civil, Criminal, Military and Labour, Social Security and Public Affairs. Since 2018, there are chambers: Civil, Criminal, Labour and Social Security, Extraordinary Control and Public Affairs, and Disciplinary. Apart from the General Assembly, the second body of judicial self-government is the College of the Supreme Court.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Garlicki |first1=Leszek |title=Polskie prawo konstytucyjne |date=2007 |publisher=Liber |isbn=978-83-272-3154-3 |page=339 |edition=11 }}</ref>

=== Common judiciary ===

The common judiciary has three tiers.<ref name="Polskie prawo konstytucyjne">{{cite book |last1=Garlicki |first1=Leszek |title=Polskie prawo konstytucyjne |date=2007 |publisher=Liber |isbn=978-83-272-3154-3 |page=333 |edition=11 }}</ref> Its structure consists of district, regional and appellate courts.<ref name="Polskie prawo konstytucyjne"/> Common courts rule on criminal, civil, labor, economic and family law.<ref name="Polskie prawo konstytucyjne"/> Until 2001, there were also misdemeanor colleges, but the Constitution abolished their functioning.<ref name="Polskie prawo konstytucyjne"/>

=== Military judiciary ===

Military courts are criminal courts, ruling primarily on crimes committed by soldiers on active military service.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite book |last1=Garlicki |first1=Leszek |title=Polskie prawo konstytucyjne |date=2007 |publisher=Liber |isbn=978-83-272-3154-3 |page=335 |edition=11 }}</ref> The structure of the military judiciary is made up of garrison courts and military district courts.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> The Criminal Chamber (until 2018, including the Military Chamber) of the Supreme Court acts as the second instance or court of cassation.<ref name="Polskie prawo konstytucyjne"/>

=== Administrative judiciary ===

Administrative judiciary already existed in the Second Polish Republic, but it was abolished after World War II.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Garlicki |first1=Leszek |title=Polskie prawo konstytucyjne |date=2007 |publisher=Liber |isbn=978-83-272-3154-3 |page=336 |edition=11 }}</ref> Its gradual restoration began in 1980 with the creation of the Supreme Administrative Court (NSA).<ref name="Polskie prawo konstytucyjne"/> The current Constitution introduced the principle of two-instance procedures, which resulted in the establishment of voivodeship administrative courts adjudicating in the first instance. Administrative courts control the legality of administrative decisions, both against the governmental and self-governmental authorities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Art. 184 of Constitution |url=https://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm |access-date=9 April 2021}}</ref> The president of the Supreme Administrative Court is appointed by the president for a six-year term, from among the candidates nominated by the General Assembly of Judges of the Supreme Administrative Court.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Art. 185 of Constitution |title=The Constitution of the Republic of Poland |url=https://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm |access-date=9 April 2021}}</ref>

=== National Council of the Judiciary ===

The National Council of the Judiciary is a body established to protect the independence of courts and judges.<ref>{{cite web |title=Art. 186 sec. 1 of Constitution |url=https://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm |access-date=9 April 2021}}</ref> He submits applications to the president to appoint judges.<ref name="Art. 179 of Constitution"/> It has the right to apply to the Constitutional Tribunal in matters relating to the compliance of normative acts with the Constitution in the area relating to the judiciary.<ref>{{cite web |title=Art. 186 sec. 2 of Constitution |url=https://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm |access-date=9 April 2021}}</ref> The National Council of the Judiciary consists of:<ref>{{cite web |title=Art. 187 sec. 1 of Constitution |url=https://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm |access-date=9 April 2021}}</ref> the first president of the Supreme Court, the minister of justice, the president of the Supreme Administrative Court, a person appointed by the president, 15 judges of the Supreme Court, common, administrative and military courts, four deputies and two senators. The term of office of elected members is four years.<ref>{{cite web |title=Art. 187 sec. 3 of Constitution |url=https://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm |access-date=9 April 2021}}</ref> The chairman and two of his deputies are elected from among the members of the Council.<ref>{{cite web |title=Art. 187 sec. 2 of Constitution |url=https://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm |access-date=9 April 2021}}</ref>

=== Tribunals ===

{{Main article|Constitutional Tribunal (Poland)|State Tribunal (Poland)}}

==Elections==
{{main|Elections in Poland|Polish parliamentary election, 2023|Polish presidential election, 2020}}
[[File:2023 powiaty.svg|thumb|Results of the Sejm election by [[powiat]]s]]
'''2023 parliamentary elections'''
{{Election results
|image=[[File:10th_Term_Sejm_of_Poland.svg|360px]]
|alliance1=[[United Right (Poland)|United Right]]|aspan1=6
|party1=[[Law and Justice]]|votes1=6286250|seats1=157|sc1=−30
|party2=[[Sovereign Poland]]|votes2=465024|seats2=18|sc2=+8
|party3=[[The Republicans (Poland)|The Republicans]]|votes3=99373|seats3=4|sc3=+3
|party4=[[Kukiz'15]]{{efn|Kukiz'15 previously ran under [[Polish Coalition]] as independents. The result does not include Paweł Kukiz who is not a party member, but got elected with 43,292 votes.}}|votes4=74959|seats4=2|sc4=New
|party5=Independents|votes5=715248|seats5=13|sc5=−8
|atotal6=7640854|aseats6=194|sc6=−41
|alliance7=[[Civic Coalition (Poland)|Civic Coalition]]|aspan7=8
|party7=[[Civic Platform]]|votes7=4992932|seats7=122|sc7=+20
|party8=[[Modern (political party)|Modern]]|votes8=375776|seats8=6|sc8=−2
|party9=[[Polish Initiative]]|votes9=252021|seats9=3|sc9=+1
|party10=[[The Greens (Poland)|The Greens]]|votes10=67392|seats10=3|sc10=0
|party11=[[AGROunia]]|votes11=53571|seats11=1|sc11=New
|party12=[[Good Movement]]|votes12=8254|seats12=0|sc12=New
|party13=Independents|votes13=879645|seats13=22|sc13=+3
|atotal14=6629402|aseats14=157|sc14=+23
|alliance15=[[Third Way (Poland)|Third Way]]|aspan15=6
|party15=[[Poland 2050]]|votes15=1561542|seats15=33|sc15=New
|party16=[[Polish People's Party]]|votes16=1189629|seats16=28|sc16=+9
|party17=[[Centre for Poland]]|votes17=70117|seats17=3|sc17=+3
|party18=[[Union of European Democrats]]|votes18=21056|seats18=0|sc18=−1
|party19=Independents and others|votes19=268326|seats19=1|sc19=−9|color19={{party color|Independent politician}}
|atotal20=3110670|aseats20=65|sc20=+35
|alliance21=[[The Left (Poland)|The Left]]|aspan21=4
|party21=[[New Left (Poland)|New Left]]|votes21=1199503|seats21=19|sc21=−19
|party22=[[Left Together]]|votes22=453730|seats22=7|sc22=+1
|party23=Independents and others|votes23=205785|seats23=0|sc23=−5|color23={{party color|Independent politician}}
|atotal24=1859018|aseats24=26|sc24=−23
|alliance25=[[Confederation Liberty and Independence|Confederation]]|aspan25=7
|party25=[[New Hope (Poland)|New Hope]]|votes25=551901|seats25=6|sc25=+3|color25={{party color|KORWiN}}
|party26=[[Confederation Liberty and Independence|Confederation]]{{efn|Confederation was registered as a party to circumvent the 8% electoral threshold for electoral coalitions. Five of its elected members are part of National Movement, one of New Hope and one of Confederation of the Polish Crown.}}|votes26=341188|seats26=7|sc26=+4
|party27=[[National Movement (Poland)|National Movement]]|votes27=199149|seats27=0|sc27=−5
|party28=[[Confederation of the Polish Crown]]|votes28=182573|seats28=2|sc28=New
|party29=[[Agreement (political party)|Agreement]]{{efn|Previously part of the United Right.}}|votes29=3568|seats29=0|sc29=−16
|party30=Independents and others|votes30=268985|seats30=3|sc30=+3|color30={{party color|Independent politician}}
|atotal31=1547364|aseats31=18|sc31=-9{{efn|Including the seats lost by Agreement.}}
|alliance32=[[Nonpartisan Local Government Activists]]|votes32=401054|seats32=0|sc32=0
|alliance33=[[There is One Poland]]|votes33=351099|seats33=0|sc33=New
|alliance34=[[German Minority Electoral Committee|German Minority]]|votes34=25778|seats34=0|sc34=−1
|alliance35=Peace and Prosperity Movement|votes35=24850|seats35=0|sc35=New|acolor35=#F30117
|alliance36=Normal Country|votes36=4606|seats36=0|sc36=New|acolor36=#02B4A9
|alliance37=Anti-party|votes37=1156|seats37=0|sc37=New|acolor37=#E52522
|alliance38=Repair Poland Movement|votes38=823|seats38=0|sc38=New|acolor38=#233392
|total_sc=0
|valid=21596674
|invalid=370217
|electorate=29532595
|source=[https://wybory.gov.pl/sejmsenat2023/en/sejm/wynik/pl National Electoral Commission], [https://wybory.gov.pl/sejmsenat2023/en/dane_w_arkuszach National Electoral Commission]
}}

[[File:2020 Polish presidential election - 1st round results.svg|thumb|Results of the first round of the presidential election by [[powiat]]s]]
[[File:2020 Polish presidential election - 2nd round results.svg|thumb|Results of the second round of the presidential election by [[powiat]]s]]

'''2020 presidential election'''
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:right
!rowspan=2 colspan=2|Candidate
!rowspan=2|Party
!colspan=2|First round
!colspan=2|Second round
|-
!Votes
!% 
!Votes
!% 
|-
|bgcolor={{party color|Law and Justice}}| ||align=left|[[Andrzej Duda]]||align=left|Independent ([[Law and Justice (Poland)|PiS]])||8,450,513||43.50||10,440,648||51.03
|-
|bgcolor={{party color|Civic Platform}}| ||align=left|[[Rafał Trzaskowski]]||align=left|[[Civic Platform]]||5,917,340||30.46||10,018,263||48.97
|-
|bgcolor=#F9C013| ||align=left|[[Szymon Hołownia]]||align=left|Independent||2,693,397||13.87||colspan=2 rowspan=9|
|-
|bgcolor={{party color|Confederation Liberty and Independence}}| ||align=left|[[Krzysztof Bosak]]||align=left|[[Confederation Liberty and Independence|Confederation]] ([[National Movement (Poland)|RN]])||1,317,380||6.78 
|-
|bgcolor={{party color|Polish People's Party}}| ||align=left|[[Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz]]||align=left|[[Polish Coalition]][[Polish People's Party|(PSL)]]||459,365||2.36
|-
|bgcolor=#4E2B8A | ||align="left" |[[Robert Biedroń]]|| align="left" |[[The Left (Poland)|The Left]] [[Spring (political party)|(Spring)]]||432,129||2.22
|-
|bgcolor=#0099CC| ||align="left" |[[Stanisław Żółtek]]|| align="left" |[[Congress of the New Right]]||45,419||0.23
|-
|bgcolor=#003153| ||align="left" |[[Marek Jakubiak]]|| align="left" |[[:pl:Federacja dla Rzeczypospolitej|Federation for the Republic]]||33,652||0.17
|-
|bgcolor=#3DD4C7| ||align="left" |[[Paweł Tanajno]]|| align="left" |Independent||27,909||0.14
|-
|bgcolor=#CC0033| ||align="left" |[[Waldemar Witkowski]]|| align="left" |[[Labour Union (Poland)|Labour Union]]||27,290||0.14
|-
|bgcolor=#3366CC| ||align=left|[[Mirosław Piotrowski]]||align=left|[[:pl:Ruch Prawdziwa Europa|Real Europe Movement]]||21,065||0.11
|-
|align=left colspan=3|Invalid/blank votes||58,301||–||177,724||–
|-
|align=left colspan=3|'''Total'''||'''19,483,760'''||'''100'''||'''20,636,635'''||'''100'''
|-
|align=left colspan=3|Registered voters/turnout||30,204,792||64.51||30,268,460||68.18  
|-
|align=left colspan=7|Source: [https://wybory.gov.pl/prezydent20200628/en/wyniki/1/pl Results], [https://wybory.gov.pl/prezydent20200628/en/frekwencja/1/Koniec/pl Turnout] (first round); [https://wybory.gov.pl/prezydent20200628/en/wyniki/2/pl Results], [https://wybory.gov.pl/prezydent20200628/en/frekwencja/2/Koniec/pl Turnout] (second round)
|}

== National security ==
Poland's top [[national security]] goal is to further integrate with [[NATO]] and other [[western Europe|west European]] defense, economic, and political institutions via a modernization and reorganization of its military. Polish military doctrine reflects the same defense nature as its NATO partners.

The combined<ref name="Polish armed forces">[[Polish Armed Forces]]</ref> Polish army consists of ~164,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wojsko Polskie rośnie w siłę. Liczy już ok. 164 tys. żołnierzy {{!}} pulshr.pl |url=https://www.pulshr.pl/rekrutacja/wojsko-polskie-rosnie-w-sile-liczy-juz-ok-164-tys-zolnierzy,94635.html |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=www.pulshr.pl |date=30 December 2022 |language=pl}}</ref> active duty personnel and in addition 234,000 reserves.
In 2009 the Armed Forces transformed into a fully professional organization and compulsory military service was abolished. Personnel levels and organization in the different branches are as follows (2004):

* '''Land Forces''': 60,000 (4 divisions, independent units and territorial forces)
* '''Air Force''': 26,000 (Air and Air Defense Corps)
* '''Navy''': 14,300 (2 Fleets)
* '''Special Forces''': 1,700 (4 Special Units – [[GROM]], [[1st Special Commando Regiment|1 PSK]], "[[Formoza]]", special logistics Military Unit)

The Polish military continues to restructure and to modernize its equipment. The Polish Defense Ministry General Staff and the Land Forces staff have recently reorganized the latter into a NATO-compatible J/G-1 through J/G-6 structure. Budget constraints hamper such priority defense acquisitions as a multi-role fighter, improved communications systems, and an attack helicopter.

Poland continues to be a regional leader in support and participation in the NATO Partnership for Peace Program and has actively engaged most of its neighbors and other regional actors to build stable foundations for future European security arrangements. Poland continues its long record of strong support for [[United Nations peacekeeping]] operations; it maintaining a unit in Southern Lebanon (part of the [[United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon]], a battalion in NATO's [[Kosovo Force]] (KFOR), and providing and actually deploying the KFOR strategic reserve to Kosovo. Poland is a strong ally of the US in Europe, and it led the [[Multinational Division Central-South]] in [[Iraq]] in the 2000s.

=== Government Protection Bureau ===
The [[State Protection Service]] (Polish: Służba Ochrony Państwa, SOP) is Poland's equivalent of the Secret Service in the United States, providing antiterrorism and VIP security detail services for the government.<ref>[http://www.bor.pl/index_en.php Biuro Ochrony Rządu] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714070913/http://www.bor.pl/index_en.php |date=2007-07-14 }} retrieved 2007-07-25</ref>

==Administrative divisions==
{{Main|Administrative divisions of Poland}}

Poland is divided in 16 provinces or Voivodeships (''[[Voivodeships of Poland|województwa]]'', singular – ''[[Voivodeship|województwo]]''): [[Lower Silesian Voivodeship|Lower Silesia]], [[Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship|Kuyavia-Pomerania]], [[Łódź Voivodeship|Łódzkie]], [[Lublin Voivodeship|Lubelskie]], [[Lubusz Voivodeship|Lubuskie]], [[Lesser Poland Voivodeship|Lesser Poland]], [[Masovian Voivodeship|Masovian]], [[Opole Voivodeship|Opolskie]], [[Subcarpathian Voivodeship|Subcarpathia]], [[Podlaskie Voivodeship|Podlaskie]], [[Pomeranian Voivodeship|Pomerania]], [[Silesian Voivodeship|Silesia]], [[Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship|Świętokrzyskie]], [[Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship|Warmia-Masuria]], [[Greater Poland Voivodeship|Greater Poland]] and [[West Pomeranian Voivodeship|West Pomerania]].

== Foreign relations ==
{{Main|Foreign relations of Poland}}

Poland wields considerable influence in [[Central Europe|Central]] and [[Eastern Europe]] and is a [[middle power]] in international affairs. The foreign policy of Poland is based on four basic commitments: to Atlantic co-operation, to European integration, to international development and to international law. Since the collapse of communism and its re-establishment as a democratic nation, Poland has extended its responsibilities and position in European and Western affairs, supporting and establishing friendly foreign relations with both the West and with numerous European countries.

Due to its tragic historical experience with aggression of powerful neighbors (e.g., [[Partitions of Poland]], [[Second World War]]), Polish foreign policy pursues close cooperation with a strong partner, one apt enough to give strong military support in times of critical situations. This creates the background of Poland's tight relations with the United States.{{POV inline|date=December 2024}}<!-- This claim seems non-neutral, as it implies strained relations due to past historic events. These surveys suggest this claim to be false: 
https://www.barometr-polska-niemcy.pl/#czy-niemcy-w-przyszlosci-moga-stanowic-dla-polski-zagrozenie-odpowiedzi-polakow-w-latach-2005-2020
https://cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2021/K_135_21.PDF -->At the same time, the equally burdened attitude towards [[Russia]] results in very tense diplomatic relations, which have been constantly worsening since [[Vladimir Putin]]'s rise to power. This is an important factor for the special attention Poland pays to the political emancipation of all its Eastern neighbors: Lithuania, [[Belarus]] and Ukraine.{{facts|date=December 2024}}

==See also==
* [[Poland]]
* [[Politics of Europe]]
* [[Visegrád Group]]
* [[Hate speech laws in Poland]]
* [[Liberalism in Poland]]
* [[Polish government-in-exile]]
* [[Political parties in Poland]]
* [[Poland A and B]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.ku.edu/~herron/ Erik Herron's Guide to Politics of East Central Europe and Eurasia]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090303231050/http://www.pgb.org.pl/info/akt_105.pdf PGB surveys]

{{Poland topics}}
{{Politics of Europe}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Politics Of Poland}}
[[Category:Politics of Poland| ]]