Local Self-Governance in Poland

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of local self-governance?

To address common challenges and improve quality of life (correct)

To enforce national laws by local officers

To distribute national resources among residents

To promote individual governance over public matters

Which of the following is NOT a type of territorial local authority?

Municipality

County

Professional association (correct)

District

What structure does local government in Poland follow?

Unified system without distinct tiers

Three-tiered structure of municipalities, districts, and provinces (correct)

Decentralized management of only districts

Bipartite system of municipalities and provinces

Which of these represents a non-territorial type of local authority?

Community organization Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of local self-governance in Poland is regulated?

Local self-governance operations and structure Signup and view all the answers

What happened to self-governing administrations after World War II?

They were abolished and replaced by centralized authorities. Signup and view all the answers

When was the restoration of territorial self-government officially enacted?

1990 Signup and view all the answers

What is a requirement for an individual to hold the office of mayor according to the provided information?

Must be a Polish citizen and of voting age. Signup and view all the answers

Which function was NOT held by local self-governing bodies during the PRL period?

National councils Signup and view all the answers

What significant change occurred in the structure of national councils in the 1970s?

Replacement of presidencies with new local leaders. Signup and view all the answers

What type of legal personality do local government units in Poland possess?

Civil and public legal personality Signup and view all the answers

What type of tasks do local government units undertake?

Own tasks to meet community needs Signup and view all the answers

Which principle asserts that local communities have the right to choose their own government officials?

Principle of local community decision-making Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of local government pertains to financial independence?

Participation in public revenue proportionate to tasks Signup and view all the answers

What does the principle of subsidiarity imply for local governments?

Higher authorities should assist only when local capabilities are insufficient Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the public administration monism in totalitarian states?

A lack of distinction between central and local administration Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the decentralization of public administration is true?

It divides public administration between government and local authorities Signup and view all the answers

What does the presumption of competence in local government imply?

Local governments are assumed competent unless otherwise specified Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum age requirement for candidates running for the position of mayor in Poland?

25 years Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about local elections in Poland is true?

Registration in the electoral roll is mandatory for voting. Signup and view all the answers

What changes were made to the term limits for local officials after the reform in 1998?

Each official is limited to two terms. Signup and view all the answers

What is required for a voter in Poland in terms of residence before voting?

Voters must reside in the district or municipality where they vote. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the outcomes of the 2002 and 2018 reforms in Poland's local government system?

Introduction of term limits for local officials. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main task of a municipality in Poland?

Conducting local governance and providing services Signup and view all the answers

In what year did Poland fully ratify the European Charter of Local Self-Government?

1994 Signup and view all the answers

Which document regulates the status of local self-governments in Europe?

The European Charter of Local Self-Government Signup and view all the answers

What role does the Supreme Administrative Court play in the context of local self-government?

It acts as a court of appeal for administrative actions Signup and view all the answers

What system of territorial self-governance was implemented in Poland in 1999?

Tripartite division Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for overseeing local self-government?

Prime Minister and the Voivode Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the functions of the Regional Chamber of Audit (RIO)?

To check compliance of local budget decisions Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the Prime Minister imposes a trustee management in a local government?

A new local executive body must be elected Signup and view all the answers

What triggers the dissolution of a local legislative body by the Sejm?

Severe breach of the law Signup and view all the answers

Which authority is tasked with overseeing the legality, economy, and reliability of public fund expenditures in local governments?

Supreme Audit Office (NIK) Signup and view all the answers

For how long can a trustee management remain in place after being established?

2 years Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence if a local government fails to adopt a budget in time?

Substitute budget approval by RIO Signup and view all the answers

What action can be taken against an executive body that repeatedly breaks the law?

Suspension or dismissal by the Prime Minister Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary voting method used in larger communities for local government elections?

D'Hondt method Signup and view all the answers

How is the minimum representation of gender determined in constituencies with 3 or more seats?

At least 35% of candidates must be of the opposite gender from the majority Signup and view all the answers

What happens if no candidate achieves a majority in the first round of voting?

A second round is held Signup and view all the answers

Which body is responsible for overseeing local finances at the regional level?

Regional Financial Oversight Body Signup and view all the answers

Which authority acts as a supervisory check on local acts and decisions?

The governor Signup and view all the answers

In small communities with up to 20,000 inhabitants, how are electoral constituencies structured?

Single-member constituencies Signup and view all the answers

What role does the National Audit Office play concerning local governments?

Ensuring legal and wise spending of public funds Signup and view all the answers

What is required for constituencies with only 1 or 2 seats regarding proportional representation?

No specific requirements for proportional representation apply Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum number of seats that may be allocated in larger local communities?

3 to 10 seats Signup and view all the answers

What action can be taken when a local government fails to comply with established rules?

Implementing a commissioner's administration Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

### Local Self-governance

Concept: Organization of people to address issues and improve quality of life.
Historically: People organized themselves to achieve common goals.
Modern: Individuals manage affairs through representatives.

### Types of Local Authorities

Territorial: Encompasses residents within a specific geographic area.
- County (powiat)
- District
- Municipality (gmina)
Non-territorial (specialized): Based on shared professions, interests, or other common links.
- Professional: Lawyers, doctors, nurses.
- Economic: Trade Associations, chambers of commerce and industry.
- Other: Student, community organizations.

### Structure of Local Government in Poland

Three-tiered structure:
- Municipalities (gmina): The most basic level.
- Districts (powiat): Above municipalities.
- Provinces (województwo): The highest level.
Interdependence: Each level is independent in action but works together.

Dimensions of Independence of Local Governments in Poland

Legal Personality: Local government units have civil and public legal personality. They have ownership and property rights.
Self-Governance: Local governments have the ability to perform tasks assigned by law to meet community needs.
Financial Independence: Local governments should participate in public revenue proportionate to their tasks. They can decide on local taxes and fees.
Local Community Control: The community directly elects and can recall local officials. It can participate in important decisions through referendums.
Administrative Decentralization: Local administration is an important part of public administration. Central authorities delegate some powers to communities, independent of state administration.
Decentralization and Jurisdiction: Decentralization is reinforced by the presumption of local government competence. If laws do not say otherwise, the municipality is assumed competent to carry out tasks. Central authorities only step in when local governments struggle.
Subsidiarity: The principle of subsidiarity is applied in Poland. Local governments don't have legislative power. All powers must adhere to the principle of state unity.
Monism and Dualism: Monism and dualism refer to the division of power in the state. Totalitarian states only have state administration and no distinction between state and local. The PRL (People's Republic of Poland) was an example of monism, where national councils lacked self-governance.
Decentralization as a Value: Decentralization, dividing government into state and local, is a fundamental value of modern democracies.

The Rebirth of Territorial Self-Government After 1989

Abolition: Territorial self-government was abolished after World War II by communist authorities.
Reforms: In 1950, administrative organs replaced self-governing units. The structure of these organs changed several times between 1950 and 1990.
Restoration: Self-government returned in 1990 with laws restoring autonomous rights.

### Voting Rights

Eligibility: Polish citizens or EU citizens residing in Poland who are 18 years old on election day.
Mayors: Must be Polish citizens and can only serve two terms.

### Local Government Elections

General principles: Universal, equal, direct, and secret voting.
Communities < 20,000 inhabitants: Single-member constituencies. Whoever gets the most votes wins.
Larger communities (including cities that are also counties): Multi-member constituencies. D'Hondt method is used to distribute seats. A minimum vote share is required. The number of seats varies based on size.
Gender Representation: A certain percentage of women and men must be on candidate lists.
Second Round: A second round is required if no candidate gets a majority in the first round.

### Control Bodies of Local Government

Regional Level:
- Regional Financial Oversight Body: Checks the legality and appropriateness of local budgets, taxes, and grants.
Central Level:
- National Audit Office: Ensures local governments are legal and wise in spending public funds.
- Governor: Acts as a supervisory authority, checking compliance with laws. Has the power to nullify illegal actions.
- Commissioner Administration: Can be applied when a local government is failing to comply with rules.

### Chart of Local Government Bodies

A diagram illustrating the different levels of local government and their respective organs, showing the connection of control and decision-making.

### Supervision Over Local Government Bodies

Prime Minister: The highest official in charge of supervising local governments.
Governor: Appointed by the Prime Minister. Responsible for overseeing local government activity within their region.
Regional Audit Office: Responsible for financial oversight.
National Audit Office (NIK): Checks the legality, efficiency, and honesty of spending public funds.
Commissioner Administration: Can be applied when a local government is failing to comply with rules. Can suspend or dismiss officials.
Sejm (Parliament): Can dissolve local legislative bodies (councils) on the Prime Minister's request.

### Samorząd Terytorialny (Local Government)

Three-tiered structure: Gminas, Powiats, and Województwa.
European Charter of Local Self-Government: Regulates the status of local governments in relation to central and other governments.
Right of Appeal: Local governments can appeal decisions from supervisory bodies to the Supreme Administrative Court.
Control Principle: The European Charter states that control must be based on the constitution or statute.

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Description

Explore the structure and types of local self-governance in Poland. This quiz covers the historical evolution, modern organization, and various authorities responsible for local governance. Test your knowledge of how these systems operate at different levels.