Kwaśniewski, Aleksander (1954- )

Polish reform-communist politician, leader of the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD), president 1995-2005. A supporter of the free market, he steered Poland towards joining NATO and the European Union.

In 1990 Kwaśniewski became chairman of the post-communist Social Democratic Party (SdRP). He led the party to electoral success in November 1993, forming a government with the Peasant Alliance (PSL). He became chair of the Parliamentary Constitutional Committee that drafted the first post-war constitution. In 1995 Kwaśniewski defeated Lech Wałȩsa in presidential elections. He tried to improve Poland's standing in Europe by holding negotiations with the Russian Federation and talks with the Belorussian and Ukrainian governments. He was re-elected in October 2000 to another five years in office, after being cleared of charges of spying for the communist-era secret police.

After completing an economics degree at the Gdańsk university he became a full-time official of the Polish United Workers Party (PUWP). He held senior posts in the youth wing of the party, and from 1987 to 1989 was minister with special responsibilities for youth affairs in the government of Mieczysław Rakowski. He participated in the ‘Round Table’ talks that led to the emergence of the first democratic post-communist government. He proved to be a skilful and popular mediator and conciliator, especially after the electoral victory in 1997 of the right-of-centre Solidarity Electoral Action.