Poland Under “Solidarity” Rule

Abstract

The coalition cabinet in which Solidarity played a leading role, but which also included Communists and their allies, won Parliamentary approval on September 12, 1989. This coalition inherited from the Communists an economy in deep crisis: inflation was raging, shortages of virtually all goods were rampant, and the black market was all-pervasive. The new government pledged to restore the market economy. This paper discusses the economy under Solidarity rule, focusing on stabilization and the restoration of private enterprise.