Poland flagPolitics & Government Guide

Political system, governance structure, stability indicators, and democratic institutions in Poland

Poland is governed by a semi-presidential system with a newly elected president from the opposition and a prime minister leading a multi-party ruling coalition. Recent structural reforms aim to increase government efficiency, while political power remains divided between the presidency and the cabinet. The country continues to play a significant role in European Union affairs.

Corruption Index

Moderate

Democracy Index

Moderate

Government Type

Unitary semi-presidential representative democratic republic

Legal System

Civil law system

Head of State

President Karol Nawrocki(since 2025)

Head of Government

Prime Minister Donald Tusk(Civic Platform (Platforma Obywatelska))since 2023

Political Indicators

Corruption Index
55Rank #45

Scale: 0-100

Transparency International (2024)

Press Freedom
66.67Rank #66

Scale: 0-100

Reporters Without Borders (2024)

Democracy Index
7.04

Scale: 0-10

Flawed democracy

Economist Intelligence Unit (2023)

Legislature

Type:bicameral
Upper House:Senate (100 seats)
Lower House:Sejm (460 seats)

Major Political Parties

Law and Justice(PiS)

Right-wing, national-conservative

Civic Platform(PO)

Center-right, liberal-conservative

The Left(Lewica)

Left-wing, social democratic

Polish People's Party(PSL)

Center, agrarian

Confederation Liberty and Independence(Konfederacja)

Far-right, libertarian

Voting Rights

Polish citizens aged 18 and over have the right to vote in all elections. EU citizens residing in Poland may vote in local and European Parliament elections. Full voting rights in national elections are reserved for Polish citizens.

Recent Developments

  • Major government reshuffle in July 2025, including creation of a combined Ministry of Finance and Economy and a standalone Energy Ministry, following the presidential election
  • President Karol Nawrocki, supported by the opposition Law and Justice party, elected in 2025, creating a divided executive with Prime Minister Donald Tusk from the ruling coalition
  • Poland assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in early 2025 for the second time
Voting Age18
SuffrageUniversal
Constitution1997
Voivodeships16