ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the formal powers retained by the presidents in the three countries. Presidential powers are analyzed and quantified on the basis of our own typology of presidential powers. As a result, the presidential powers are divided on the basis of two criteria: the area in which the powers are applied, which yields two groups of powers (legislative and non-legislative); and the degree of independence in using the powers, giving three groups of powers (independent, contingent and shared). The analysis of presidential powers shows that the scores do not significantly differ from each other. Although the Polish president enjoys the largest degree of powers, his score is not essentially greater than that of the Czech and Slovak presidents. Furthermore, there are in fact only a few independent presidential powers that allow the presidents to be a central figure in at least some areas of the politics and policies of their countries. Finally, the presidential powers are significantly greater in the legislative arena. All in all, the presidents do not wield any executive power that would allow them to govern.
