Encyklopedia Administracji Publicznej MW Pivot Skin

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS – is the chief constitutional body of the Executive – next to the President – in the Republic of Poland. The Council of Ministers (the government) is nominated by the President of the Republic of Poland based on the proposal of the → President of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister). It conducts the domestic and foreign policy of the Republic of Poland, it directs the → government administration. The Council of Ministers is responsible for the matters of the state’s policies not excluded for other state bodies and local government. The Council of Ministers has the right of legislative initiative, ensures implementation of the statutes and issues regulations and resolutions. It coordinates and controls the work of government administration. It protects the interests of the State Treasury, approves the draft budget of the state and supervises its implementation, passes a resolution on the closing of the state’s accounts and report on the implementation of the budget. It ensures the internal security of the state and public order and the external security of the state. It exercises general control in the field of relations with other states and international organisations. It concludes international agreements requiring ratification as well as accepts and renounces other international agreements. It exercises general control in the field of national defence and determines the organisation and the manner of its own work. The Council of Ministers is composed of the Prime Minister and ministers, Vice-presidents of the Council of Ministers (Deputy Prime Ministers) and also the presidents of committees specified in statutes may also be appointed. The members of the Council of Ministers accountable to the → Tribunal of State for an infringement of the Constitution or statutes, as well as for the commission of an offence connected with the duties of the held office. They are also collectively responsible to the Sejm for the activities of the Council of Ministers and are individually responsible to the Sejm for those matters falling within their competence or assigned to them by the Prime Minister. The law provides for the possibility of creating joint committees, consisting of representatives of the government and representatives of specific (appropriate in the given area of the cases) institutions and circles – the examples can include the Joint Commission of Government Representatives and the Polish Bishops' Conference and the Joint Commission of Government and Local Government [ I. Malinowska ].

Literature: L. Garlicki, Polskie prawo konstytucyjne. Zarys wykładu [Polish constitutional law. An outline of a lecture], Warszawa 2016.