Polish constitutional normalization of the principle  of subsidiarity and its development in law

This paper is an attempt to show regulations on the principle of subsidiarity, enclosed in Polish Constitution and other legal acts. Polish legislation is familiar with the concept of subsidiarity, it is included in the preamble of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland. This provision was intended to emphasize its importance for the implementation of civil rights. It was considered that subsidiarity is important for strengthening the powers of citizens and communities they create. It is present to protect their rights, as well as any action taken by manifestations of civic activity in associations. This imposes an obligation on the legislature for an appropriate division of roles, in carrying out tasks of the local public administration. Applying the method of the institutional and legal analysis, demonstrated the presence and development of subsidiarity in the legislation. Analyzed materials also show the gradual, yet slow development of the principle of subsidiarity in Polish legislation. Its basis can be found in the constitutional law, which is the determinant of the direction of its development. The Constitutional Tribunal is also affecting subsidiarity by its decisions. The first part is a review of the principle of subsidiarity in Polish Constitution. It also expresses the impact of principle on the Republic of Poland. The second part concerns the principle of subsidiarity in the ordinary law. It shows how the principle is being developed since the late 80’s. The last part is an attempt to reveal the implementation of subsidiarity in activities of local governments. It focuses on how subsidiarity can provide the right to operate freely and retain autonomy of actions.

Experiences related to the global financial crisis of 2008 and to subsequent turbulence in the financial market, and also to threats connected with the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrate the evolution of the aims of the functioning of central banks. The goal of monetary stability, which means attempting to ensure low inflation, has proved insufficient. As a part of building a new architecture of financial regulation and supervision (at international, European, and national level), the mandate of central banks has been strengthened and supplemented with activities aimed at ensuring the stability of the financial system, understood as a state of affairs in which systemic risk does not accumulate. The aim of this article is to analyze the systemic role of the NBP (Polish Central Bank) from the point of view of the contemporary evolution of the role of central banks within the financial safety net.

Legal Protection of Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Religion

Freedom of thought, conscience and religion is one of the fundamental freedoms of individual, which has to be and is protected by international and national law, as shown on the example of the Polish Constitution. Freedom of conscience includes both the right of individual to choose the worldview and the right to change it. Freedom of religion ensures the right to express and manifest the views and convictions on religion individually and collectively, privately or publicly. Considering derogation of freedom of thought, conscience and religion, international law states that it may be restricted, but only in specific circumstances and under the legal act. The Polish Constitution is in line with international law in terms of restricting the above freedom.