Changes

The parliament consists of the 460-member Sejm and the 100-member Senat, or upper house. The new constitution and the reformed administrative division (as of 1999) required a revision of the election ordinance (passed in April 2001). The most important changes were liquidation of a national list (all deputies are elected by voters in electoral districts) and introduction of a new method of calculating seats (the modified St. Lague method replaced the d'Hondt method, thus eliminating the premium for the top parties). The law stipulated that with the exception of guaranteed seats for small ethnic parties, only parties receiving at least 5% of the total vote could enter parliament.  

The parliament consists of the 460-member Sejm and the 100-member Senat, or upper house. The new constitution and the reformed administrative division (as of 1999) required a revision of the election ordinance (passed in April 2001). The most important changes were liquidation of a national list (all deputies are elected by voters in electoral districts) and introduction of a new method of calculating seats (the modified St. Lague method replaced the d'Hondt method, thus eliminating the premium for the top parties). The law stipulated that with the exception of guaranteed seats for small ethnic parties, only parties receiving at least 5% of the total vote could enter parliament.  

Parties represented in the newly elected (October 2007) Sejm are Civic Platform (PO), [[Law and Justice]] (PiS),   the Left and Democrates (LiD) - the alliance between Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) and the Democratic Party (PD),  and the Polish Peasant Party (PSL). There is also on representative of the German Minority and some non-allied members of Parliament

Parties represented in the newly elected (October 2011) Sejm are Civic Platform (PO), [[Law and Justice]] (PiS), Palikot's Movement (RP), Polish Peasant Party (PSL), Democratic Left Alliance (SLD), and the United Poland (SP) which was created after elections by former Law and Justice members. There is also one representative of the German Minority and some non-allied members of Parliament

=== Principal Government Officials ===

=== Principal Government Officials ===

*President--Bronisław Komorowski (elect)

*President--Bronisław Komorowski

*Prime Minister--Donald Tusk (PO)

*Prime Minister--Donald Tusk (PO)

*Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration--Grzegorz Schetyna (PO)

*Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration--Jerzy Miller (PO)

*Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy--Waldemar Pawlak (PSL)

*Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy--Waldemar Pawlak (PSL)

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President Bronislaw Komorowsk.

President Bronislaw Komorowski.

{{Clear}}

{{Clear}}

Poland became an associate member of the EU and its defensive arm, the Western European Union, in 1994. In a June 2003 national referendum, the Polish people approved EU accession by an overwhelming margin, and Poland gained full membership on May 1, 2004.  

Poland became an associate member of the EU and its defensive arm, the Western European Union, in 1994. In a June 2003 national referendum, the Polish people approved EU accession by an overwhelming margin, and Poland gained full membership on May 1, 2004.  

Changes since 1989 have redrawn the map of central Europe, and Poland has had to forge relationships with seven new neighbors. Poland has actively pursued good relations, signing friendship treaties replacing links severed by the collapse of the Warsaw Pact. The Poles have forged special relationships with Lithuania and particularly Ukraine in an effort to firmly anchor these states to the West.  

Changes since 1989 have redrawn the map of central Europe, and Poland has had to forge relationships with seven new neighbors. Poland has actively pursued good relations, signing friendship treaties replacing links severed by the collapse of the Warsaw Pact. The Poles have forged special relationships with Lithuania and particularly Ukraine in an effort to firmly anchor these states to the West.

== Defense ==

== Defense ==