Od sojuszu do skrajnej wrogości. Ewolucja zachowań parlamentarnych Platformy Obywatelskiej i Prawa i Sprawiedliwości w latach 2001–2013

Abstract

The main purpose of the article was to analyze the evolution of parliamentary behavior of Platforma Obywatelska (Civic Platform) and Prawo i Sprawiedliwość (Law and Justice) in the years 2001–2013. The present paper explains the development of identity of both parties since the election of 2005. The analysis takes into account creating bond with the voters, as well as selected models and rules governing the behavior of politicians. The data presented show that up until 2010 Polish government opposition was of consensual type, i.e. the opposition agreed with the governing party in many cases. At the turn of sixth and seventh term of office was substituted with “hard” opposition, who consistently voted against proposed bills of the coalition. However, it needs to be stressed that a clear dissonance in legislative behavior is correlated with the previously long term of stability of coalition governments, as well as with the increase in coherence of parliamentary clubs. This may be an indicator of the forming of a permanent model of parliamentary rivalry and of an increase in stability of the political system.