Municipal presidential parties in Silesian municipalities

Abstract

This article focuses on the characteristics and the position of municipal presidential parties in the municipalities in the Silesian region. The article based on the results of the City Council elections in the years 2006–2014. Municipal presidential parties are defined as local initiatives created by independent Mayors. These parties were created as a result of the change in law connected with the mayoral elections. The analysis demonstrates that in the majority of municipalities in the Silesian Voivodeship initiatives that are described are relevant to local politics. Moreover, it presents significant differences among all the cities to their relevance. The article extends the analysis of urban movements in the biggest cities of the Silesian Voivodeship by the category of the municipal presidential parties which constitute one of the models of the described entities.