Intergovernmental relations during the COVID-19 crisis in Poland

Abstract

The article studies the Polish response to COVID-19 from an intergovernmental relations (IGR) perspective. The main focus is on how the Central and Local Government Common Commission worked during this period. The author uses the analytical taxonomy of three types of contrasting IGR processes: (1) a predominantly multi-layer policy process, involving limited conflict, (2) a centralised policy process as the central government attempts to suppress conflict and (3) a conflicted policy process, where such attempts are contested and tend to contribute to poor policy outcomes. In conclusion, it is shown that the Polish government preferred to choose a centralised policy and implement a one-size fits all approach during the first phase of COVID-19.

Keywords

• local government
• intergovernmental relations
• pandemic
• public policy