Granat, Katarzyna --- "The future of Polands second chamber: Is the Senate still needed?" [2019] ELECD 1872; in Albert, Richard; Baraggia, Antonia; Fasone, Cristina (eds), "Constitutional Reform of National Legislatures" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2019) 212

Book Title: Constitutional Reform of National Legislatures

Editor(s): Albert, Richard; Baraggia, Antonia; Fasone, Cristina

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

Section: Chapter 13

Section Title: The future of Polands second chamber: Is the Senate still needed?

Author(s): Granat, Katarzyna

Number of pages: 18

Abstract/Description:

The chapter deals with the bicameral system of the Polish parliament consisting of the Sejm and Senate. It critically discusses possible reforms of the Senate in the light of experience of other bicameral systems. The chapter examines reform proposals relating to legislative, control, and elective functions of the parliament, as well as regarding its election system and term. Such reforms may enable the creation of a stronger bicameral system with more symmetrical powers and less congruent chambers. Nonetheless, it remains to be seen whether the reform of the Senate can be accomplished. In this respect, high thresholds for the constitutional amendment, and vested interests of the Sejm and the government present a potential obstacle to any reform of the Senate.