2015
Bogdan DIMA, Choosing the Systems of Government in Post-communist Democracies of Central and South-Eastern Europe
Abstract: This comparative
constitutional history study attempts to explain the main political reasons
which led to a specific constitutional-design choice regarding the systems of
government in former post-communist states of Central and South-Eastern Europe,
currently EU and NATO members (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary,
Romania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia).
In the first part, major explanatory theories concerning specific factors
which influenced the rapid adoption of new constitutional arrangements for the
post 1989 democratic regimes will be presented. The focus will be mainly on the
specifics of power relations between opposition and parliamentary majority, and
on presidents` and parliaments` active role in the process of drafting new
constitutions in the new democracies of Central and South-Eastern Europe.
The second and the third part will emphasize the reasons for which most of
the states have chosen semi-presidentialism, while few have chosen a
parliamentary system of government.
The last part of the paper shall present the conclusions of the research,
focusing mainly on the common features of the constitutionalization process
regarding the political and institutional life in former communist Central and
South-Eastern european countries.
Key-words: Central and South-East
Europe, systems of government, parliamentarism, semi-presidentialism,
constitutional design
« back