- May 22, 2020
- 2,228
Constitution of the Kingdom of Poland
Adopted October 1st, 1996
Revised to Reflect Amendments of May 2006
Preamble
We, the People of Poland, reborn as a sovereign and united Kingdom, recalling the glories and tragedies of our national history, reaffirm our Christian heritage, our will to preserve liberty, justice, and order, and our commitment to rebuild a righteous and stable nation under the blessing of Providence.
Having endured tyranny, war, and occupation, and now restored to our rightful identity under the Crown, we proclaim this Constitution as the supreme law of the land, to secure peace, protect rights, and guide our national rebirth.
Title I: The Nature of the State
Article 1.
The Kingdom of Poland is a sovereign, unitary, and constitutional monarchy, founded upon the principles of law, liberty, and tradition.
Article 2.
The Crown of Poland is the embodiment of national continuity and the guardian of the Constitution.
Article 3.
The state shall recognize the Roman Catholic Church as the traditional faith of the Polish nation, while guaranteeing freedom of religion to all citizens.
Title II: The Crown and the Monarch
Article 4.
The King of Poland is the Head of State and symbol of national unity. His authority is inherited according to the law of succession.
Article 5.
The King shall:
- Represent Poland in foreign affairs.
- Appoint the Prime Minister and, on his recommendation, other ministers.
- Grant royal assent to laws.
- Convene and dissolve the Parliament.
- Serve as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
- Grant titles, honors, and orders.
- Exercise the right of pardon.
Article 6.
All royal acts must be countersigned by the responsible minister, except for the appointment of the Prime Minister, declarations of war, and dissolutions of Parliament.
Article 7.
The person of the King is sacred and inviolable. The King shall not be held accountable for the acts of state.
Title III: The Parliament (Parlament Królewski)
Article 8.
The Parliament shall consist of two chambers:
- The Sejm (Chamber of Deputies), composed of elected representatives.
- The Senate, composed entirely of elected members.
Article 9.
The Parliament shall enact laws, approve the state budget, and hold ministers to account. Both chambers may initiate legislation, and all bills must be approved by both and receive royal assent to become law.
Article 10.
Members of the Sejm shall:
- Be elected for a term of four years by universal, direct, and equal suffrage under proportional representation.
- Be at least 21 years of age on the day of election.
- Serve no more than three full terms in a lifetime.
Article 11.
Members of the Senate shall:
- Be elected for a term of six years by universal, direct, and equal suffrage.
- Be at least 30 years of age on the day of election.
- Serve no more than two full terms in a lifetime.
Article 12.
The Senate shall serve as a chamber of review, legislative deliberation, and national reflection. It shall ensure legal continuity and representation of regions and communities.
Article 13.
No member of either chamber may simultaneously hold a ministerial post, royal appointment, or title that confers political privilege.
Title IV: The Government
Article 14.
The Council of Ministers shall be responsible for implementing state policy, managing administration, and upholding law and order under the authority of the King and oversight of the Parliament.
Article 15.
The Prime Minister shall be appointed by the King under advisement from the Council of Ministers.
Article 16.
Ministers are responsible for the administration of their respective departments and accountable to both the King and Parliament.
Title V: Fundamental Rights and Freedoms
Article 17.
All citizens are equal before the law and enjoy the rights of personhood, property, religion, and association.
Article 18.
Freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and conscience are guaranteed, in accordance with the law and respect for public order.
Article 19.
Private property shall be protected. No one may be deprived of property except by lawful judgment and for public necessity with just compensation.
Article 20.
Citizens shall have access to education, public health, and social protection, according to the resources and obligations of the state.
Article 21.
The dignity and rights of the family shall be protected by law. Marriage is a union between a man and a woman, governed by civil and canon law.
Title VI: The Judiciary
Article 22.
The judiciary shall be independent and impartial. Judges shall render decisions in the name of the King and Constitution.
Article 23.
Judges shall be appointed by the King upon recommendation of the National Judicial Council. They shall enjoy security of tenure and may only be removed for grave misconduct or incapacity.
Article 24.
A Constitutional Tribunal shall be established to determine the constitutionality of laws and settle disputes between organs of the state.
Title VII: Local Government
Article 25.
Local governments shall administer municipal and regional affairs, within the bounds of national law. Their autonomy is guaranteed by the Constitution.
Article 26.
Local councils shall be elected by residents and shall have authority over local planning, services, and administration, as defined by statute.
Title VIII: Transitional Provisions
Article 27.
Until full elections are held in accordance with this Constitution, the Provisional Assembly shall act as the national legislature, subject to royal assent.
Article 28.
Senate elections shall be conducted no later than one year following the adoption of this amended Constitution.
Article 29.
The monarchy shall be held by His Majesty King Stanislaus Grabwoski, crowned by the grace of God and the will of the Polish Nation.
Title IX: Final Provisions
Article 30.
All existing laws shall remain in force unless and until they are repealed or declared unconstitutional.
Article 31.
Amendments to this Constitution require a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Parliament and the assent of the King.
Article 32.
This Constitution shall enter into full force upon its proclamation by the King and publication by the Parliament.
Given at Warsaw, this First Day of October, in the Year of Our Lord 1996.
Amended in May 2006 by the Will of the Polish Nation and Royal Assent of His Majesty King Stanislaus Grabowski.
