Polish Round Table Agreement
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Okragly_Stol_1989.jpg
Polish Round Table Talks took place in Warsaw, Poland from February 6 to April 4, 1989.
The reason that compelled Polish Communists (led by gen. Jaruzelski) to start talks with the banned trade union Solidarność and other opposition groups was fear of a social explosion due to economic malaise and runaway inflation that had depressed Polish living standards and deepened the anger and frustration of society. They hoped to co-opt prominent opposition leaders to the ruling group without making major changes in the shape of the authority. But in reality the talks radically altered the shape of the Polish government and society. The events in Poland precipitated and gave the momentum to the fall of the entire Communist block. Soon also the Yalta arrangement collapsed.
An agreement ("Round Table Agreement") was signed on April 04, 1989. Due to it real political power was vested in a newly created bicameral legislature and in a president who would be the chief executive. Solidarność was legalized. Free election to 35% of the seats in Sejm and an entirely free election to Senate was assured.
The election held on 4 June 1989 brought a landslide victory to Solidarność (99% seats in Senate and all 35% possible seats in Sejm). Jaruzelski, whose name was the only one the Communist Party allowed on the ballot for the presidency, won by just one vote in the National Assembly
Template:Hist-stub Template:Pol-stubpl:Okrągły Stół (historia Polski)