Role and Powers of the Polish President Explained

Apart from the 1997 Constitution of Poland, which resulted in the establishment of a presidency based on a semi-presidential system, while not in charge, the president can steer government by pulling particular constitutional levers like vetoes or appointments, as well as their involvement in foreign and defence policy.

Key Powers and Functions
A particularly powerful weapon of the Polish president is his legislative veto. No confidence vote involving the entire government can be introduced by either the president or the parliament, as well as the rejection of bills other than the main budget bill. A presidential veto can only be done in the lower house with a three-fifths majority (a high threshold that is generally the precondition for political negotiation or to scupper a law entirely).

The president may also refer legislation to the Constitutional Tribunal for compliance with the Constitution. They may also introduce legislation on their own and call a meeting of the Cabinet Council, which consists of the government along with the President, to discuss important national questions. The Council has no formal powers to legislate, but is supposed to serve as a forum for high-level discussion on new political developments.

The president also has a say in appointments. Most of those in senior posts — including the prime minister, ministers, ambassadors and judges — are chosen in a ceremonial way when political relations run smoothly, but they become pieces in a game of checkers when the presidency and government do not see eye to eye.

Policies on foreign, defence and other matters
In foreign policy and national defence, the President of Poland shares duties with the government. The president is also the country's head of state and armed forces commander in chief, while the prime minister and the cabinet lead on policy. The President also ratify international treaties, providing constitutional legitimacy to these agreements.

Other powers include calling referendums (with Senate approval), nominating key judicial officials and giving presidential pardons. The day-to-day governing power is exercised by the government, but these tools afford the president a say in the making of major political decisions, particularly when cooperation between the presidency and parliament breaks down.