The realization of the principle of the formal equality in concepts  and activities of Polish political parties in 2011–2014

The aim of this research was to define how Polish political parties in parliament seventh term of office (date of election: 9 th October 2011) realized constitutional principle of equality of citizens. The analysis was concerned not only on declarative programme sphere but also on the area of political practice. The first part of the study was focused on platforms of particular politic parties which were announced before elections to the parliament in 2011. On the basis of those party platforms, the research showed to what degree and area political parties was revolved around women’s issues. The second part of the study provided a comparison of ideological declaration and real activities of particular political parties. There was also a verification of electoral register groups, which candidates entered the parliament taking into consideration the presence of women.

The mechanisms of gender positive discriminations in the electoral law

The ongoing public debate in Poland concerning the implementation of equality instruments in the electoral law requires a legal analysis of these institutions, especially because the proposal of amendments was the effect of that debate. It is important that, it is necessary here to distinguish the quotas, specifying the minimum proportion of one sex on voting lists or the representative bodies and the parities, which define the equal participation of both sexes. Both these instruments are today in normative acts in many states, but their way of shots, like the non-execution and consequences of such a requirement is different. The regulations could be different to parties which unrealized formal requirements. As a consequence they could prove to deny the possibility of the electoral lists registration or they could only know the financial restriction. The problem of the gender equality on the election lists can be considered as a violation of principle of equality of elections, especially when it directly changes the result of the election. On the other hand, it provides increasing equality in parliament. It should be noted that the regulations identical with the Polish proposal had never been introduced. That proposition which states that the number of women on electoral lists may not be less than 50%, violates the constitutional principle of equality.