Konstytucyjne uprawnienia Sejmu i Senatu w dziedzinie obronności i bezpieczeństwa państwa

The article features the problems of the Sejm and Senate powers in the state defence and security areas. The Sejm plays the main role in this respect, whereas the Senate’s powers are limited due to the principle of asymmetric bicameralism of parliament. Particular powers of both parliamentary chambers are discussed in the context of constitutional functions performed by them. Within its legislative function, the Sejm passes bills of law defining the organization of the Armed Forces, expressing agreement to ratify or rescind international agreements that define the principles of the Armed Forces ’ engagement and deployment outside the country, as well as consequences of imposing the stales of emergency. Performing its control function, the Sejm supervises the activities of the Council of Ministers, the Minister of National Defence including, and has a civil and democratic control of the Armed Forces. The Sejm’s powers connected with its function to coordinate the policy of the state are also very important as the Sejm controls the President’s order to impose a martial law or the state of emergency, approves orders having the force of law (a statutory instrument) issued by the President during a martial time and takes a decision to declare the state of war.