Poland marks May 3 Constitution Day
Poland celebrates on Saturday the anniversary of its historic 1791 Constitution, one of the most progressive supreme laws in Europe at the time.
The constitution was passed on May 3, 1791, by the Great Sejm [grand parliament] of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and was Europe's first document of its kind, predating the famous French Constitution and following the American one by only four years. The anniversary was officially declared a national holiday in 1919, banned during the communist era, and reinstated as a state holiday in 1990.
Polish President Andrzej Duda said at an official ceremony held at the Zamkowy Square in Warsaw that this was a day of Polish pride "Great pride in our historical achievements, great pride in our wonderful state, great pride in our wonderful statehood that is over 1,000 years old. Great pride in what Poles have been able to do and are able to do."
"Considering those times, institutions were created that were designed to really strengthen the state and build a true, well-conceived democracy," Duda continued. "This is why we say that the tradition of democracy in Poland is very deeply rooted. The tradition of democracy and the tradition of tolerance, including religious tolerance."
In his address, Duda also referred to the election planned for May 18 as his second and last term in office is about to end.
He said his successor will have a great responsibility not only as the head of state, but also as the head of the Polish armed forces.
"Yes, responsibility for the security of the state and also responsibility for the Polish soldiers and officers so that they have means to defend Poland," he said.
The next president will also be obliged to support reforms that increase the country's security and continue "the huge purchases of modern weaponry for the Polish army and the huge defence spending," Duda said.
Poland's landmark constitution was short lived as, only one year later, Austria, Prussia and Russia annexed parts of Polish territories in what has been called the first partition of the country. The two subsequent partitions, carried out in 1793 and 1795, removed Poland from the map of Europe for more than a century.
Among its provisions, the new constitution introduced a hereditary constitutional monarchy (in place of the free election of kings), religious tolerance and the division of power into the legislative, executive and judicial branches.
Poland's presidential ballot is scheduled for May 18, with a potential runoff on June 1 if no candidate secures an outright majority in the first round. Poles will elect their next president for a five-year term. (PAP)
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