The Nature of Parliamentary Representation and the Safeguards for Mandate Fulfillment Cover Image

O istocie zasady przedstawicielstwa oraz wybranych aspektach gwarancji w sprawowaniu mandatu parlamentarnego
The Nature of Parliamentary Representation and the Safeguards for Mandate Fulfillment

Author(s): Joanna Uliasz
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence, Public Administration, Public Law, Philosophy of Law, Sociology of Law, Administrative Law
Published by: Oficyna Wydawnicza KA AFM
Keywords: democracy; parliamentary mandate; election; electoral rights;

Summary/Abstract: The starting point for the discussion in this article is the principle of parliamentary representation, a cornerstone for any democratic society. This principle holds a key constitutional status within Polish law. To uphold and actualize this principle, the structure of the parliamentary mandate and the mechanisms designed to protect it are of utmost importance. Immunity protection offers members of parliament the freedom to execute their duties without interference. A limited set of criteria for the revocation of a parliamentary mandate ensures the integrity of the mandate to represent voters, acquired through the electoral process. This approach also safeguards against the arbitrary removal of a representative’s formal legitimacy to act on behalf of the nation. The central thesis of this article is that any unlawful termination of a parliamentary mandate through a flawed process constitutes a direct assault on the very foundation of democracy: the nation’s right to freely elect its representatives.

  • Issue Year: 34/2024
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 161-180
  • Page Count: 20
  • Language: Polish