Alexander
Kwasniewski was born in Bialogard, Poland,
on 15th November, 1954. Kwasniewski studied economics at Gdansk University
(1973-77). While at university Kwasniewski became involved in politics
and in 1976 became chairman of the University Council of the Socialist
Union of Polish Students (SZSP).
After leaving
university Kwasniewski worked as a journalist and was editor of the
student weekly, ITD (1981-84)
and Sztandar Mlodych (1984-85).
He was also the co-founder of the computer science periodical,
Bajtek in 1985.
A member
of the Polish United Workers' Party (PUWP), Kwasniewski
entered the government of General
Wojciech Jaruzelski and
served as Minister of Youth Affairs (1985-87) and Chairman of the
Committee for Youth and Physical Culture (1987-90).
Reformers in Poland were
helped by the fact that Mikhail
Gorbachev had
gained power in the Soviet Union. In 1986
Gorbachev made it clear he would no longer interfere in the domestic
policies of other countries in Eastern Europe. Wojciech
Jaruzelski was now forced to negotiate with Lech
Walesa and the trade union movement. This resulted in parliamentary
elections and a noncommunist government and in 1989 Solidarnosc
became a legal organization.
In January
1990 Kwasniewski helped to found the Social Democratic Party and became
its first chairman. The following year played an important role in
forming the Democratic Left Alliance.
In December
1990 Lech Walesa was elected President
of the Republic of Poland. He was not a success and his critics claimed
he developed an authoritarian style in running the country. His behaviour
was erratic and he was criticized for his close links with the military
and security services.
In November
1995 presidential election Kwasniewski defeated Walesa (51.7 per cent
against 48.3 per cent). Over the next few years he worked hard to
get Poland admitted to North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
In attended summit meetings in Madrid and Washington and on 26th February,
1999, signed the documents that ratified Poland membership of NATO.
In 2000 Kwasniewski was re-elected as president with 53.9 per cent
of the vote.
History
of the European Union: Integration Process and European Citizenship
