June Elections in 1989 – Polish Television, Warsaw

Fact of the Polish figure „The Round Table – 1989”

Part of the „Dreaming about the democracy” topic

The Polish Round Table negotiations from February to April 1989 led to major changes in the political system, including the restoration of the Senate and the Presidency. Most importantly, a new voting law and regulations were introduced. The 1989 agreement stated that PZPR and its satellite parties, which monopolized the parliament at that time, permitted candidates from outside the communist bloc to run for 35% of all parliamentary seats—161 out of 460 in the Sejm and all 100 seats in the Senate. The elections scheduled for June 4th and 18th were seen as a final test for the communist regime, meant to demonstrate their ability to win back public trust by offering stability and political experience gained over more than four decades in power. However, the authorities once again underestimated their actual influence over Polish society, as well as the energy and organization of the democratic opposition, led by Lech Wałęsa and the ‘Solidarity’ Citizens’ Committee. Despite limited funding and media access, ‘Solidarity’ won all 161 Sejm seats and 99 of the 100 Senate seats (the remaining seat was non-aligned). The government was unable to secure a stable majority and soon had to accept a new non-communist government, led by Tadeusz Mazowiecki. Its formation in September of that year is considered a turning point toward democracy in Poland, although just a month later, this was overshadowed by the events surrounding the election, when actress Joanna Szepkowska concluded her live television interview with the words: “Ladies and gentlemen, on 4th June 1989, communism has ended in Poland,”