Najwyższy dostojnik autonomii. Instytucja marszałka krajowego w Galicji (1861–1920)

Abstract

At the early 1860s, the Habsburg Monarchy underwent a period of a profound reforms. These resulted in the birth of a constitutional monarchy and modern parliamentarism. Bodies of self-government were established in the individual provinces of the state. In Galicia, the National Sejm and the National Department, which was the executive organ of the Sejm, were established. Both of these institutions were headed by the Galician National Marshal, who in theory held the highest position in the Galician self-government, but in reality, had very limited powers. The actual rule in the province was exercised by the royal-imperial governor. Until the very end of the Habsburg Monarchy the Polish politicians unsuccessfully tried to raise the status of the office of National Marshal. They even failed to introduce the principle of his election by the Sejm. In total, 11 people held the post of National Marshal. It is a certain phenomenon that this institution survived the Habsburg Monarchy. The last National Marshal had to resign from the office in 1920.