The parliament of Poland is a bicameral legislature composed of an upper house and a lower house. The Constitution of the Republic of Poland refers specifically to the Sejm and the Senate rather than using a single formal name for the institution as a whole. Both chambers meet in the parliamentary complex in Warsaw at the Sejm complex.

Composition and election

The Sejm is the lower chamber and has 460 deputies elected by direct vote for terms that normally last four years. The Senate comprises 100 senators, also chosen by direct election. While electoral laws have changed periodically, the Sejm is generally elected under a proportional system and the Senate by single-member constituencies. Members represent political parties, coalitions, or local lists and take part in legislative and oversight duties.

Powers and legislative process

Legislation typically requires approval by both the Sejm and the Senate. Most bills originate in the Sejm, are examined in committees, debated in plenary sessions and then submitted to the Senate for consideration. The President must sign adopted laws for them to take effect, and constitutional procedures exist for resolving disagreements between branches of government. In practice the Sejm holds stronger powers in matters such as confidence in the government and budgetary decisions.

Functions and organization

  • Legislation: drafting, debating and adopting laws.
  • Oversight: supervising the executive through questions, inquiries and votes of confidence.
  • Appointments and approvals: certain state posts and treaties require parliamentary consent.
  • Committees: specialised committees prepare most legislative work and scrutiny.

Historical background

The modern Polish parliament traces its roots to medieval assemblies and to the Sejm of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. The bicameral model has been adapted through Poland's partitions, the interwar republic, the communist period and the democratic transition after 1989. The contemporary constitutional framework was adopted in the 1990s and redefined the roles of the Sejm and Senate within a democratic system.

Notable features include the stronger legislative initiative of the Sejm and the Senate's role as a revising chamber. Both houses remain central to Poland's political life, shaping policy, controlling the executive, and representing the electorate at the national level.