Encyklopedia Administracji Publicznej MW Pivot Skin

PRINCIPLE OF TERM OF OFFICE – the principle of performing public function or holding an office for a fixed maximum time – for the → term of office; providing a given body, composed of selected officials, with proxies for a specified period of time. The principle of term is recognised in democratic systems as a necessary element of the representative nature of the parliament/governing bodies, but also the elected executive bodies. Its application means the periodicity of exercising the mandate – democratic elections legitimise the authorities, but at the same time limit it temporarily and thus make it reversible (→ dissolution of the decision-making body) [ M. Kaczorowska ].

Literature: K. Grajewski, Odpowiedzialność posłów i senatorów na tle zasady mandatu wolnego, Warszawa 2009 ■ A. Ławniczak, M. Masternak-Kubiak, Zasada kadencyjności Sejmu: wybrane problemy, „Przegląd Sejmowy” 2002, nr 3.