ABSTRACT
The political system in Poland is strongly competitive, with a high fluctuation of party supply and support. Permanent opposition does not actually exist.
The study reveals the influence of cohabitation and of minority government on opposition’s behaviour. Both factors favour their more consensual attitudes when voting on government’s bills, although the right-wing opposition remains more radical. Policy areas, especially domestic macroeconomic issues, divide government and opposition.
Since 2005, the post-communist cleavage has been fading in favour of a new division between two conservative parties with anti-communist backgrounds. The opposition’s reluctance to support government bills is now accompanied by smaller chance for opposition bills to be passed.
