Parliamentary debate in lawmaking process – technology of politics

Abstract

The article analyses the duration of parliamentary debate in the lawmaking process in the period when Poland was governed by populist groups (2015–2019). These groups (the United Right) are critical of the modern idea of parliamentary democracy, and populist parties treat a debate in the Parliament as a political technique rather than an important political and ethical value. Formally, contemporary populism does not deny the Parliament but lowers its rank and clearly instrumentalises it, which is manifested in the practice of limiting discussion, not taking up talks, and imposing the majority’s will. At the same time, the Parliament reflects the real attitude of populist groups to the political opposition and their attempts at its political annihilation.