Stability and conflict of inter-institutional relations within the framework of polish semi-presidentialism of the period of the “small constitution” (1992–1997)

Abstract

The article is dedicated to studying the parameters of stability and conflict of inter-institutional relations within the framework of Polish semi-presidentialism of the period of the “Small Constitution” (1992–1997). The study is based on the fact that this period of the development of the Polish political system was the first stage in the development of Polish semi-presidentialism in the recent political history of this country. It is argued that the early stage of the development of Polish semi-presidentialism was characterized by quite significant conflicts in inter-institutional relations. The author argued that Poland chose a rather complex scenario of political and inter-institutional relations during the period of 1992–1997, since the formalized attributes of Polish semi-presidentialism at that time were significantly modified by the lack of political traditions and personal characteristics of Polish politicians, especially presidents. In general, the Polish semi-presidential system of 1992–1997 often provided incentives for power and inter-institutional conflicts and political/constitutional destabilization, especially if certain constitutional conditions, including the powers of political institutions, were ambiguous. Thus, it is established that both formally and politically, the Polish early case of semi-presidentialism not only foresaw, but even dictated the possibility and probability of inter-institutional conflicts, even when different political institutions and their personalities represented the same electoral majority or even a parliamentary majority.