Questions & Answers about Kto ma władzę w tym kraju?
Why do we use ma (has) here instead of a verb for "holds"?
In Polish, the standard expression for "holding power" is simply mieć władzę (to have power). Translating "holds" literally with a verb like trzymać (to physically hold) would sound unnatural in a political context.
Why is it władzę instead of the dictionary form władza?
The noun władza (power or authority) is the direct object of the verb ma (has). This means it must take the accusative case. For feminine nouns ending in -a, the accusative ending is -ę.
Can I use władzę to talk about electrical power or physical strength?
No, władza specifically refers to authority, political control, or rule. For physical strength you would use siła, and for electricity or supernatural power you would use moc.
Why does kraj (country) change to kraju at the end of the sentence?
The preposition w (in) requires the locative case when you are talking about a static location. For the masculine noun kraj, the correct locative ending is -u, making it w tym kraju (in this country).