Local Policy in Poland Local selfgovernment in Poland

Local Policy in Poland

Local self-government in Poland In Poland, only a part of local and regional tasks are implemented by government administration agencies, which are directly (hierarchically) subordinate to the Council of Ministers, Prime Minister or individual ministers. The essential part of administrative tasks, not having a nationwide significance, is implemented by the local government. This is done by selfgovernment bodies which are subordinate to the relevant local (gmina, powiat) or regional (voivodeship) community and which represent its interests.

Tradition of local government in Poland Local self-government existed in the Second Republic of Poland during the period of People's Republic of Poland until 1950, when it was replaced by a system of national councils. From May 27, 1990 to December 31, 1998, local government existed only at the municipal level.

Restoration of local government in Poland The first discussions on local government were held in opposition circles. During the Round Table, the problem of local government remained in the shadow of other issues. After the elections of 4 June 1989, the initiative to restore local selfgovernment was taken over by the Senate and then by the Local Government Commission established in the Sejm. Local self-government in Poland was restored in 1990.

Local self-government in the Polish legal system Article 163 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland states that "Local self -government shall perform public tasks not reserved by the Constitution or by laws to bodies of other public authorities". This article expresses the presumption of local self-government competence. Detailed rules of functioning of local self-government in Poland are contained in the Act on local self-government of 8 March 1990.

Levels of local government in Poland Since 1 January 1999, Poland has had a three-tier local government structure: municipalities (gmina) districts (poviat) voivodships.

Municipalities in Poland In Poland, as of 1 January 2020, there are 2477 communes - 1537 rural communes, 638 urban-rural communes and 302 urban communes, including 66 communes which are at the same time cities with district rights.

Districts in Poland There are 314 districts in Poland

Voivodships There are 16 voivodship in Poland.

Local government bodies (municipalities) Municipalities Legislative and control authority Municipality council Committees Executive authorities Mayor (urban commune, rural commune, pol. wójt) Mayor (urban commune, urban-rural commune, pol. burmistrz) Mayor (urban commune, urban commune with district rights, pol. prezydent)

Local government bodies (districts) Districts Legislative and control authority District council Executive authorities District Board Starosty of district

Local government bodies (voivodship) Voivodship Legislative and control authority Executive authorities Provincial assembly Voivodeship board

Own tasks of local governments Management of municipal roads, streets, bridges and traffic organization Water supply, sewage, waste disposal Heat and electricity supply Local public transport Health and social welfare Housing Education Culture (municipal and public libraries, sports infrastructure) Municipal greenery Cemeteries Maintenance of markets and halls Fire protection

Political parties in local self-government

Political parties in local self-government

Changes in 2018 On 10 November 2017, a parliamentary bill was submitted to the Sejm to amend certain acts in order to increase the participation of citizens in the process of electing, functioning and control of certain public bodies in the self -governments of communes, districts and provinces resulting from general elections, as well as the control of this process and bodies advocating the preparation and conduct of elections. law of 11 January 2018 introduces, among other things, amendments to the Electoral Code and the laws on local governments. The act introduces, singlemandate election districts in municipalities up to 20, 000 inhabitants and extends the term of local government bodies from 4 to 5 years.