Różnice i modyfikacje sposobu elekcji prezydenta w wybranych państwach Europy Środkowej, Wschodniej i Południowej

Abstract

The institution of president as a head of state has been a permanent feature in the countries of Central, Eastern and Southern Europe for more than twenty years. This fact does not mean that the institution of a head of state has become static and non-evolving. On the contrary, it has changed substantially. These changes are particularly visible in countries that have gone through system change. During the restitution of presidency the expectation of the society and the political class towards the head of state varied and were accompanied by serious political and law problems. One of most important of them was the method of presidential election. Most of the states analyzed have decided to introduce direct presidential elections to stress the democratic nature of that institution. That decision was coherent with the expectations of the societies. The other method of presidential elections, that is indirect elections, was introduced in the Czech Republic and Hungary, and from the beginning it has been considered satisfying, particularly by the politicians. What is more important, particularly in all the analyzed countries of Central, Eastern and Southern Europe which introduced indirect presidential elections, that method is still evolving. The aim of that evolution is enhancement of the method, and enhancement accompanies the process of evolution and modernization of the institution of head of state.