MAJOR PARTIES REPRESENTED IN THE POLISH PARLIAMENT

Text by: Michail Bartoszewicz
University of Wroclaw, October 2001

The Democratic Left Alliance (SLD): centre-left party declaring for further European integration, moderate strengthening of State control over the country's economy, further privatisation (but against reprivatisation), enduring of existent welfare benefits and wider women's participation in politics. SLD is for abolition of the Senate. On October the 9th of 2001 the SLD (with the Union of Labour) signed a coalition agreement with the PSL. Aprox. 120.000 members. Leaders: Leszek Miller, Marek Borowski, Jerzy Szmajdzinski, Krystyna Lybacka, Krzysztof Janik, Andrzej Celinski.

The Civic Platform: a liberal party, especially in economical matters. The party is for uniform rate f taxation for all taxpayers, faster privatisation, reducing of both State and local self-government's administration and general election of mayors. Leaders: Andrzej Olechowski, Maciej Plazynski, Donald Tusk, Jan Maria Rokita.

Law and Justice: centre-right, conservative party declaring for sticking to the rules of law in administration of power and fairness in public life, uncompromising battle against organized crime and sharpening of the penal policy. With respect to economy it seems to be centrist. Leaders: Lech Kaczynski, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, Kazimierz Ujazdowski, Ludwik Dorn.

Self-Defence of the Republic of Poland (Samoobrona): a populist party, hard to label with traditional "left" or "right" etiquettes. Declares against privatisation and Poland's access to the European Union on "unprofitable terms". Samoobrona is for wide State intervention in the area of economy, especially in agriculture, and welfare protection. Leaders: Andrzej Lepper, Genowefa Wisniowska, Krzysztof Filipek.

The Polish Peoples' Party (PSL): a moderate peasant's party, inclined to left in their economical views and slightly to right in terms of their declared values. As for access to the EU, PSL believes it is better to delay it and negotiate as good terms as possible (especially with regard to agriculture). The party is open to alliances with both left- and right-wing parties. On October the 9th of 2001 the PSL signed a coalition agreement with the SLD. It is one of the biggest (aprox. 160.000 members) and well-organized parties. Leaders: Jaroslaw Kalinowski, Marek Sawicki, Zdzislaw Podkanski.

The League of Polish Families (LPF): a radical right-wing party, especially with respect to ideology. It appeals to tradition of the Polish nation, to the Catholic faith, and praise family as a special value. LPF is against Polish access to the EU and definitely against privatisation of certain branches of economy. Leaders: Jan Lopuszanski, Marek Kotlinowski, Antoni Macierewicz, Roman Giertych, Anna Sobecka.