According to the former president Aleksander Kwasniewski, any amendments to be introduced to the Polish constitution should be decided referendum.
Kwasniewski himself opposes any amendments concerning the governing system in Poland which would shift the balance of power in favour of the president or prime minister. This issue has been recently raised by Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
"A transition form the present governing system to a presidential or cabinet one is possible but, due to its significance, it should be decide upon in a public vote", said Kwasniewski, quoted by "Rzeczpospolita".
Kwasniewski admitted that the Extraordinary Committee of National Assembly, which drafted the present constitution in the 1990s was also in two minds as to whether they should grant more power to the president or prime minister.
The present constitution was adopted by the National Assembly on 2 April 1997, approved in a public vote on 25 May, and came into force on 17 October 1997. Drafting the constitution started as early as the late 1980's and was the effect of crucial political changes in Poland of the time. (mn)