Lech Kaczyński, Polish lawyer and politician, 4th President of Poland (b. 1949)

Lech Aleksander Kaczyński (Polish pronunciation: [ˈlɛx alɛkˈsandɛr kaˈt͡ʂɨj̃skʲi]), born on 18 June 1949, was a prominent Polish lawyer and politician whose life and career were deeply intertwined with Poland's journey from communism to a democratic state. He served as the Mayor of Warsaw from 2002 to 2005 before ascending to the nation's highest office, becoming the President of Poland in 2005, a role he held until his tragic death on 10 April 2010. His political path was marked by significant contributions across various crucial institutions, reflecting his dedication to public service and the evolving Polish political landscape.

Before reaching the pinnacle of Polish politics, Kaczyński held several influential positions. He led the Supreme Audit Office (Najwyższa Izba Kontroli, NIK) as its President from 1992 to 1995. This institution is Poland's highest state auditing body, responsible for overseeing the financial activities and public spending of the state administration, ensuring transparency and accountability. Later, he served as the Minister of Justice and Public Prosecutor General in Jerzy Buzek's cabinet from 2000 until his dismissal in July 2001, playing a key role in the country's legal and justice system reforms.

Early Life and Academic Pursuits

Born and raised in Warsaw, Lech Kaczyński had an unusual start to public life. As a child, he starred alongside his identical twin brother, Jarosław Kaczyński, in a popular 1962 Polish film titled The Two Who Stole the Moon (O dwóch takich, co ukradli księżyc). This lighthearted adventure, based on a classic Polish children's book, holds a special place in Polish culture, offering a unique glimpse into the early lives of two future political figures.

His academic journey was equally distinguished. He pursued his higher education at Warsaw University, where he graduated with a degree in law and administration. His intellectual curiosity led him to further studies, culminating in a Ph.D. awarded by Gdańsk University in 1980. A decade later, in 1990, he completed his habilitation, a higher academic qualification common in Central and Eastern European universities, specializing in labour and employment law. This profound expertise later saw him assume professorial positions at both Gdańsk University and Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, shaping the minds of future legal professionals.

A Stalwart of the Anti-Communist Movement

Lech Kaczyński's commitment to justice and democracy was evident from his early activism during Poland's communist era. He emerged as a resolute figure in the pro-democratic and anti-communist movements, contributing to the Workers' Defence Committee (KOR), a crucial civil society group that provided legal and financial aid to persecuted workers and dissidents. He was also a passionate advocate within the Independent Trade Union movement, which sought to challenge the state-controlled labor organizations.

A pivotal moment in his activist career came in August 1980, when he became an adviser to the Inter-Enterprise Strike Committee in the Gdańsk Shipyard, the birthplace of the iconic Solidarity movement. This independent trade union grew into a broad social movement that united millions of Poles against the communist regime. Kaczyński's involvement placed him at the heart of this historic struggle. When the communist authorities imposed martial law in December 1981, aiming to crush Solidarity, he was interned as an "anti-socialist element," a testament to the perceived threat he posed to the regime. Upon his release, undeterred, he promptly resumed his trade union activities, contributing to the underground Solidarity network that continued its fight for freedom. As Solidarity was eventually re-legalized in the late 1980s, Kaczyński served as an active and trusted adviser to its charismatic leader, Lech Wałęsa, and his Solidarity Citizens' Committee in 1988, helping to guide the movement towards the eventual collapse of communism.

Transition to Democracy and Early Political Career

The dawn of democracy in Poland saw Lech Kaczyński playing an instrumental role. From February to April 1989, he actively participated in the historic Polish Round Table Talks alongside his brother, Jarosław. These negotiations between the communist government and the Solidarity-led opposition paved the way for Poland's peaceful transition to democracy and the first semi-free elections.

Following Solidarity's resounding victory in the 1989 Polish legislative election, Kaczyński was elected as a senator and became the vice-chairman of the movement, solidifying his position as a key figure in the nascent democratic government. In the 1991 Polish parliamentary election, he secured a seat in the Sejm, the lower house of the Polish parliament, running as a non-party member. His expertise and unwavering support made him a main adviser to Lech Wałęsa, particularly during Wałęsa's successful presidential campaign in December 1990. Once Wałęsa assumed the presidency, he nominated Kaczyński to serve as the Security Minister in the Presidential Chancellery. However, their political alliance proved short-lived; a conflict surrounding Jan Olszewski's government led to Kaczyński's dismissal in 1992, highlighting the complex and often turbulent early years of Polish democracy.

Founding the Law and Justice Party and Presidential Triumph

In 2003, seeking to shape the future of Polish conservatism, Lech Kaczyński co-founded the Law and Justice party (Prawo i Sprawiedliwość, PiS) with his identical twin brother, Jarosław. This new political force emerged from a split within the Solidarity Electoral Action and the Christian National Union, aiming to champion right-wing and conservative values. The party quickly gained traction, and in the crucial 2005 Polish presidential election, Lech Kaczyński was put forth as its presidential candidate.

The election proved to be a significant moment in modern Polish politics. In the first round of voting, Kaczyński garnered a strong 33.1% of the valid votes, securing his place in the run-off. The second round saw him face off against Donald Tusk, a prominent liberal-conservative politician. On 23 October 2005, Lech Kaczyński emerged victorious, receiving 54.04% of the vote to Tusk's 45.96%. He was officially sworn in as President of Poland on 23 December 2005, marking the culmination of a long and dedicated political career.

The Twin Presidency and Tragic End

A unique chapter in Polish political history unfolded on 10 July 2006, when President Lech Kaczyński appointed his twin brother, Jarosław Kaczyński, as Prime Minister of Poland following the resignation of Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz. This extraordinary event made them the first pair of brothers in the world to simultaneously serve as president and prime minister of a country, and notably, the only twin brothers ever to achieve such a distinction. Their joint leadership, often referred to as the "twin presidency," lasted until 2007, when Jarosław Kaczyński's Law and Justice party lost the parliamentary election on 21 October 2007, finishing a distant second behind the conservative-liberal Civic Platform party, then led by Donald Tusk. Consequently, Tusk succeeded Jarosław Kaczyński as Prime Minister, reuniting the two rivals from the 2005 presidential election in new political roles.

Lech Kaczyński's presidency and life came to an abrupt and tragic end on 10 April 2010. He was killed, along with his wife Maria Kaczyńska and 94 other high-ranking Polish officials, military leaders, and public figures, in the crash of a Polish Air Force Tu-154 jet. The aircraft crashed during a landing attempt at Smolensk North Airport in Russia, while en route to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre, a deeply poignant historical event for Poland. His death marked a profound national tragedy and made him the first Polish president to die in office since the assassination of Gabriel Narutowicz in 1922, underscoring the profound and unexpected loss for the nation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lech Kaczyński

Who was Lech Kaczyński?

Lech Kaczyński was a Polish lawyer and politician who served as the Mayor of Warsaw from 2002 to 2005 and as the President of Poland from 2005 until his death in 2010. He was also a prominent anti-communist activist during Poland's communist era.

What was Lech Kaczyński's role in the anti-communist movement?

He was a key activist in the Workers' Defence Committee (KOR) and the Independent Trade Union movement. He advised the Inter-Enterprise Strike Committee in the Gdańsk Shipyard, becoming deeply involved with the Solidarity movement. He was interned during martial law and later advised Solidarity leader Lech Wałęsa.

When did Lech Kaczyński become President of Poland?

Lech Kaczyński was elected President of Poland in the 2005 presidential election, defeating Donald Tusk in the second round, and was sworn into office on 23 December 2005.

What was significant about his presidency?

A notable aspect of his presidency was the period from 2006 to 2007, when his identical twin brother, Jarosław Kaczyński, served as Prime Minister. This made them the first and only twin brothers in the world to hold both presidential and prime ministerial offices simultaneously. His presidency also ended tragically with his death in the Smolensk plane crash.

How did Lech Kaczyński die?

Lech Kaczyński died on 10 April 2010, along with his wife Maria Kaczyńska and 94 other prominent individuals, when a Polish Air Force jet crashed during a landing attempt at Smolensk North Airport in Russia. They were traveling to commemorate the Katyn massacre.

Who was his twin brother?

His identical twin brother was Jarosław Kaczyński, who also became a prominent Polish politician, serving as Prime Minister of Poland from 2006 to 2007.

What was his educational background?

Lech Kaczyński held a degree in law and administration from Warsaw University, a Ph.D. from Gdańsk University, and completed his habilitation in labour and employment law. He also held professorial positions at Gdańsk University and Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University.