The PSL "Piast" and PSL "Wyzwolenie" people's parties in view of the election of the first President of the Republic of Poland

Abstract

The views of the PSL Piast and PSL Wyzwolenie popular parties on state power, including the head of state, were shaped already during the period of partitions. Galician leaders of PSL "Piast" had a rich and rather beneficial experience of cooperation with constitutional monarchy. However, monarchical concepts were contrary to the "spirit of the age" and the moods prevailing in the Polish society. Since 1918, popular parties have clearly expressed their support for the democratic-republican form of government. People's parties entering the Legislative Sejm did not have strictly defined constitutional principles and voiced their opinions about power in the state in general terms. In the views of both politicians from PSL "Piast" and those from PSL "Wyzwolenie", little space was taken up at that time by the analysis of the prerogatives of the head of state. It was not until work on constitution began, that these found their right place. The parties presented their opinions concerning the political power clearly only at the stage of presentation of their own draft constitutions. PSL "Wyzwolenie", in "Podstawa Ładu Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej" ("Fundamentals of the Order of the Republic of Poland"), proposed the name (title) of the Spokesman of the Republic of Polandfor for the head of state. Eventually, it decided on the name of the Head of State; references were made to the Head of Kościuszko, while at the same time wanting to satisfy Józef Piłsudski. The Head was to be elected by the entire nation. In the draft by PSL "Piast", the head of state – president, was also to be elected in general elections, this demand was also included in the Party's program adopted on 29 June 1919. The Constitution of the Republic of Poland of 17 March 1921 marked a victory for the right. The aim of the article is to present and compare the views of people's politicians from PSL "Piast" and PSL "Wyzwolenie" regarding the institution of the head of state. The article presents the evolution of their views, and also their dilemmas related to the election of the first President of the Republic of Poland.