The competences of the Prime Minister and proper ministers in the area of national security and defence

Council of Ministers is constitutional body of the executive power in Poland which is responsible for internal and external security of the State and public order. Other than Council of Ministers competences belongs to members of Council of Ministers like Prime Minister, Minister of National Defence and minister proper to internal affairs. What’s important that are two basic areas of competences of Council of Ministers members. First of all there are competences based on dependence relation between described bodies and other public administration bodies, including for example local government and military service. On the other hand there are detailed competences that enable realization of State security and defense politics both in peace and war period.

Meanders in Civilian Control over the Armed Forces in Poland After 1989

The article presents considerations and opinions on the observance of constitutional principles related to civil and democratic control over the armed forces after 1989 in Poland. The control, supremacy, and supervision of the civil authorities over the organs of violence are one of the greatest challenges a democratic state must face. Civilian control of the military is vital today, as NATO has made it a prerequisite for membership. The article aims to present a research problem and answer the question – how each side perceives its role and what function it fulfils in terms of control, authority, and supervision – from the public respect and popularity enjoyed by a given politician, political institution, or armed forces to the administrative or political abilities of the ruling politicians. Civilian control should also be accepted by military commanders and political leaders in power and result from the institutional and legal regulations adopted in a given country and the experience of NATO members. The armed forces are to serve the state, protect its independence, security, and territorial integrity, and therefore maintain political neutrality, not selected political groups (parties) or society. Since there is no uniform model or system of control over the military, there are only common principles necessary to guarantee democratic and civilian control over the armed forces in the state.