https://padlet.com/katelyn_willick/6v9eg2wxrrx9 en-us 2019-01-25 21:22:43 UTC 2026-03-09 12:42:05 UTC hello@padlet.com katelyn_willick https://padlet.com/katelyn_willick/6v9eg2wxrrx9/wish/324511135 Poland is a democratic country. It has a Prime Minister, who at the moment is Mateusz Morawiecki (pictured below). The Prime Minister is the leader of the cabinet and the head of government. Poland also has a President. Right now, the President is Andrzej Duda. The president is the head of the executive branch and represents the country when in an international setting.  They are the "supreme commander of the Polish forces."(World Atlas) The government also has a judicial branch which consists of the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Tribunal, and the Supreme Administrative Court and a legislative branch consisting of a bicameral parliament (the Sejm and the Senate)]]> 2019-01-25 21:24:40 UTC https://padlet.com/katelyn_willick/6v9eg2wxrrx9/wish/324511135 katelyn_willick https://padlet.com/katelyn_willick/6v9eg2wxrrx9/wish/325116175 The economy of Poland has changed many times.  Poland used to be a communist country.  The economic structure was based on the Soviet model, meaning it was very industrial and it was state-run.  "From the mid-1970s the Polish economy struggled with limited growth, largely as a result of an antiquated industrial infrastructure, government subsidies that masked inefficient production, and wages that were artificially high relative to productivity. In the late 1980s a swelling government deficit and hyperinflation brought about economic crisis."(www.britannica.com)  The post-communism economy of Poland established a free-market economy. A free-market economy means "an economy where the government imposes few or no restrictions and regulations on buyers and sellers."(www.investopedia.com) Poland is part of many economic and political organizations including the Council of Europe, World Trade Organization, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the European Union.]]> 2019-01-28 19:27:58 UTC https://padlet.com/katelyn_willick/6v9eg2wxrrx9/wish/325116175 katelyn_willick https://padlet.com/katelyn_willick/6v9eg2wxrrx9/wish/325131746 In Poland, women have been able to vote for over 100 years.  They have equal rights, but women still experience domestic violence and sex trafficking. Abortion is allowed under 3 circumstances. These instances are when the fetus is severely malformed, the carrier's health or even life is endangered, or when the pregnancy was caused by a criminal act.  Citizens do have freedom of speech in Poland, however they can be punished for promoting anti-government activity. Same-sex marriage is not recognized in the constitution, so there is a debate whether it is legal or not. Transgender people must be medically diagnosed and undergo gender reassignment surgery. Polish jails do not meet the requirements set in other European countries. Their cell size, health care, and accommodations for disabled prisoners are not adequate according to these standards.]]> 2019-01-28 19:57:59 UTC https://padlet.com/katelyn_willick/6v9eg2wxrrx9/wish/325131746 katelyn_willick https://padlet.com/katelyn_willick/6v9eg2wxrrx9/wish/325626196 In 1914, most World War 1 many battles were fought on what is now Poland's territory. It wasn't until November of 1918 that Poland was established as a country. The modern constitution was formed in 1921. On September 17th, 1939, Poland was invaded by the Soviet Union. Poland was defeated within one month. In 1945, the country's borders change drastically. They moved 300-500 kilometers to the west. Areas that used to be part of Poland are now occupied by USSR. On May 1st, 2004, Poland joins the European Union.]]> 2019-01-29 21:28:19 UTC https://padlet.com/katelyn_willick/6v9eg2wxrrx9/wish/325626196 katelyn_willick https://padlet.com/katelyn_willick/6v9eg2wxrrx9/wish/325630882 There are many ways to become a citizen of Poland. Minors have 4 ways of obtaining citizenship. The first way is known as the right of blood. A child is born into a family in which both parents are citizens of Poland at the time of their birth. The second way is known as the right of soil. The child is born on Poland's territory and their parents are unknown, their nationality is undefined, or they hold no citizenship. The third way is when a child is found in the territory of the Republic of Poland and their parents are unknown. The final way is to be adopted by a person(s) that hold a Polish citizenship before the age of sixteen. To be granted a citizenship as an adult, you must file an application to become a citizen. If you are a legal resident, you submit it to the President. If you are not a resident, the application is filled by the competent consul.]]> 2019-01-29 21:41:53 UTC https://padlet.com/katelyn_willick/6v9eg2wxrrx9/wish/325630882