prezydent

Prezydent is the title used for the head of state in many republics. The word comes from Latin praesidens and has entered numerous languages through French, among others. In different countries the office is organized very differently, ranging from largely ceremonial to the central executive authority.

There are two broad models of the presidency. In presidential systems, the president is both head of state and head of government and exercises substantial executive power. In parliamentary and semi-presidential systems, the president often serves primarily as a symbol of national unity with limited or shared powers, while an elected prime minister or equivalent runs the government. Examples of these arrangements can be found in various countries with diverse constitutional designs.

Election and powers of a president vary widely. Presidents are typically elected for fixed terms, which may be four, five, or seven years, and many systems place limits on the number of terms. Powers commonly include representing the country internationally, signing or vetoing legislation, appointing high officials and ambassadors, and serving as commander-in-chief of the armed forces. In some systems the president can dissolve parliament, call elections, or refer laws to constitutional bodies.

In Poland, the office of the President of the Republic of Poland is the head of state. The president is elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term and a two-term limit. The Polish president represents the country abroad, signs or vetoes laws, appoints the prime minister (subject to parliamentary approval) and the cabinet, serves as commander-in-chief, and has certain constitutional functions such as calling elections and granting pardons.