On December 23, 1991, Jan Olszewski became the Prime Minister of Poland, following a turbulent process of negotiations and political struggles. This government, appointed by the newly elected Sejm after Poland’s first free elections since World War II, represented a key moment in the country’s post-communist transition. Despite initial challenges, Olszewski managed to form a coalition with four parties, supported by the Polish People’s Party (PSL) and the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union “Solidarity,” but his government was built on a fragile foundation, with tensions simmering from the start.
Olszewski’s Appointment: Political Struggles and Early Tensions
Olszewski’s appointment was preceded by a series of political setbacks. After President Lech Wałęsa’s unsuccessful attempts to appoint other candidates, including Bronisław Geremek and continuing Prime Minister Jan Krzysztof Bielecki, Olszewski was designated on December 5, 1991. Although initially unable to secure a stable coalition, he eventually gained enough support to form a government on December 23. However, internal discord quickly emerged, particularly with Jarosław Kaczyński, leader of the party with the largest number of ministers in the government, leading to personal and political tensions that would later contribute to the government’s downfall.
Navigating Foreign Policy: Olszewski’s Shift Toward NATO and Western Integration
One of the significant challenges faced by the Olszewski government was navigating Poland’s foreign policy in a rapidly changing international environment. The collapse of the Soviet Union in December 1991 opened the door for Poland to pursue stronger ties with the West. The Olszewski cabinet shifted its focus to NATO integration, making it a strategic priority for Poland’s defence policy, and accelerated negotiations to remove Russian military forces from the country. These steps marked a turning point in Poland’s post-communist foreign policy, aligning the country closer to Western institutions.
Economic Reforms and Political Conflicts: The Downfall of Olszewski’s Government
Domestically, the Olszewski government took a different approach to economic reform, particularly regarding privatization. While earlier governments had aggressively pursued privatization, Olszewski’s cabinet slowed the process, opting instead to support the agricultural sector with minimum price guarantees and fuel subsidies. This policy shift caused tensions with liberal factions in the parliament, who pushed for a more market-driven approach. Additionally, growing conflicts with President Wałęsa, especially over foreign policy issues, intensified the political divide.
The government’s most serious conflict with Wałęsa occurred in May 1992, when Olszewski opposed a controversial clause in the Polish-Russian friendship treaty. The clause would have allowed Russian military bases to be handed over to Polish-Russian joint ventures. Olszewski’s objection sparked a direct confrontation with the president, who later amended the treaty after talks with Russian President Boris Yeltsin. This dispute, along with other internal disagreements, led to the collapse of Olszewski’s government on July 11, 1992, and the appointment of Waldemar Pawlak as the new prime minister, ending a short but significant chapter in Poland’s democratic transition.