The president, the superior, the leader: the head of the state in the political thought of the popular movement 1918–1939

Abstrakt

The problem of the position and role of the head of state was raised in the political thought of the people's movement. It was believed that the position of the head of state should be held with the utmost dignity and respect. The head of state, in the opinion of the ideologues of the people's movement, was an important organ of power. For the head of state, PSL "Wyzwolenie" proposed the name "the superior of the Polish Republic", PLS "Lewica" - "chief - president", PSL "Piast" - president. The subject of interest of the politicians of the people's movement was the political institution of the president, its constitutional location, procedure of appointment, powers, responsibility and relations with other organs of state authority. The assessment of the political reality included the characteristics of the persons holding the highest office in the state, their personalities and character traits, as well as their substantive qualifications. Despite concerns that the highest position in the state could be taken by an unwanted individual, the need to strengthen the head of state was constantly emphasized. Acceptance of strong executive bodies did not mean, however, absolute support for the concept of a strong presidency. To a large extent, such a position resulted from the conditions of the current political tactics. The peasants leaned towards a presidential system functioning in its classic form in the United States of America. In the mid-1920s, they were inclined to endow him with the right of legislative veto. The president was to act as a super-arbitrator in state affairs and be a factor of balance between the parliament and the government.