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TIME: Almanac 1990
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1990 Time Magazine Compact Almanac, The (1991)(Time).iso
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time
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032089
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03208900.032
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1990-09-17
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WORLD, Page 37POLANDOut of the Political DesertThe opposition gains leverage
When so-called round-table talks between the Polish regime and
the Solidarity-led opposition began last month, few observers
expected a quick breakthrough. At issue was the political price the
government would pay to win support for economic austerity
measures. Last week, to just about everyone's surprise, the
negotiators disclosed that they had agreed on a thorough
reorganization of the political system. The reform would include
the creation of a senate to complement the existing lower house,
or Sejm, with members chosen in free elections, as well as the
institution of a powerful presidency, with the officeholder
selected by parliament. Said Jacek Kuron, a leader of the banned
Solidarity trade union: "This is a step toward democracy, the like
of which has never been taken before under this system."
If the accord is carried out, it will mark the first time a
Communist government has voluntarily ceded a major share of power
to the opposition. Not only would Solidarity and other opposition
groups be free to compete for seats in the 98-member senate, but
there would also be liberalized elections to the Sejm in which
non-Communists could win up to 35% of the 460 seats. The two
chambers would then elect the President. Details of the pact will
not be unveiled until April 3, but both sides have already agreed
to June parliamentary elections.
Still, the Communists are not about to yield their pre-eminent
place. The most likely candidate for the post of President is
General Wojciech Jaruzelski, First Secretary of the Communist
party. Said government negotiator Janusz Reykowski: "Nowhere do
elections contest that system. That would threaten the stability
of the state."
The pact could still falter on the question of economic reform.
Solidarity wants wages to be indexed to the inflation rate,
currently 70%, and price increases for food and other necessities
to be introduced gradually. Even so, said Solidarity representative
Bronislaw Geremek, "after 45 years in a political desert, we
suddenly find ourselves in a completely new situation."