# Mazowiecki becomes Prime Minister (1989)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1989-mazowiecki-becomes-prime-minister
Location: Warsaw
Categories: main-event

Catholic journalist Tadeusz Mazowiecki became the first non-communist prime minister in the Soviet bloc since the 1940s. Within the broader People'S Republic period: Shifted westward and placed under communist rule, Poland rebuilt from the war but repeatedly rose against the regime, until the Solidarity movement forced a negotiated transition in 1989. At this point in the timeline (24 August 1989), the governing authority was Wojciech Jaruzelski (First Secretary of the PZPR; Chairman of the Council of State; President of Poland). General who imposed martial law in 1981 and later negotiated the transition; President 1989–1990. Mazowiecki becomes Prime Minister mattered because it altered the structure of power and the direction of Polish statehood. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
Mazowiecki becomes Prime Minister mattered because it altered the structure of power and the direction of Polish statehood.

Ruler at the time: [Wojciech Jaruzelski](https://poland-history.com/rulers/wojciech-jaruzelski)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Tadeusz Mazowiecki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tadeusz_Mazowiecki)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Mazowiecki becomes Prime Minister](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Mazowiecki+becomes+Prime+Minister)
- [Wikipedia — Polish People's Republic (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_People's_Republic)