Wybory czerwcowe 1989 roku – refleksje po dwudziestu latach
Parliamentary election 1989, reflections after twenty years

Summary/Abstract: In the modern history of Poland 1989 year was groundbreaking. The crucial event of that period were elections of 4th and 18th July 1989. It was turning point of government changes in the country. In case of elections 20 years earlier, it is incredibly hard to miss its political origin. Upon political agreement between PZPR and members of „Solidarity”, before the elections the parities had been established. Ruling coalition was given 65% electoral mandates, in turn the opposition 35%. The elections has two rounds. The major reason to award candidate with seat was to get absolute majority of votes in the first round. In the second round it was enough to get just majority vote. Because of legislation error it was necessary to alterate the electoral law between both rounds. One hundred senators were elected. There were no parities but equality rule was skipped. Election campaign was completely different than ever before. Among the many forms of advertising. The most important way to get to the publicity was using public image of Lech Wałęsa. The elections brought landslide victory to „Solidarity” candidates. Although the existing parities – they could not get the majority in Sejm. However they got all the possible mandates, they had been applying. In Senat elections they got 99 seats. The result of the elections allowed to create the first non-communist government in this part of Europe. Cabinet created by Tadeusz Mazowiecki gained support of „Solidarity”, „Stronnictwo Demokratyczne” and „Zjednoczone Stronnictwo Ludowe”.

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