Third Republic Movement Ruch Trzeciej Rzeczypospolitej (Polish) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Jan Parys |
| Founded | April 1992 |
| Dissolved | 11 November 1995 |
| Split from | Centre Agreement |
| Succeeded by | Movement for the Reconstruction of Poland |
| Headquarters | Warsaw,Poland |
| Membership(1993) | >5000[1] |
| Ideology | Conservatism[2] Polish nationalism[2] Anti-communism[2] Economic liberalism[2] Militarism[2] |
| Political position | Right-wing[2] |
| National affiliation | Centre Agreement – Polish Union (1993) |
| Colours | Red |
| Slogan | Let's build the Third Republic, soundly, wisely, as one! (Polish:Twórzmy Trzecią Rzeczypospolitą, wytrwale, mądrze, razem!)[1] |
TheThird Republic Movement (Polish:Ruch Trzeciej Rzeczypospolitej,RTR,self-styled asR III R) was a minorconservativepolitical party in Poland functioning between 1992 and 1995, when it united with theMovement for the Republic to form theMovement for the Reconstruction of Poland.
The Movement was founded byMinister of DefenceJan Parys in April 1992, based on "Country Defence Committees" (Polish:Komitety Obrony Państwa), following a meeting with thePolish General Staff, during an ongoing conflict between Parys andPresidentLech Wałęsa, whom Parys accused of attempting to manipulate the Polish military.[2] During a meeting of the Congress of National Solidarity on April 30 1992, it referred to theMacierewicz List [pl], a product oflustration in Poland, as a "list of disgraced nationals". On May 2 1992, the Movement petitionedPrime MinisterJan Olszewski to oppose Wałęsa's plans ofstrengthening the role of the presidency in Poland.[1]
The Movement was formally registered on August 7 1992, during the organization's 2nd Congress. Therein, it drafted the party'spolitical manifesto, and adapted six resolutions.:[1]
On August 10 1992, it adopted a "Declaration of Cooperation" withFChD,ChD-SP, PPN and ChD FL. The parties organized press conferences andstreet demonstrations. A 3rd Congress of the Movement was held on June 12 1993. For the1993 Polish parliamentary election, it started underLech andJarosław Kaczyński'sCentre Agreement – Polish Union coalition, which got 4.42% of valid votes failed to cross the electoral threshold. Parys briefly considered running for president in1995, but endorsed Jan Olszewski instead.[2]
On November 11, 1995, RTR united with Olszewski's Movement for the Republic to form the Movement for the Reconstruction of Poland.
The Movement was radicallyanti-communist, supportinglustration,decommunisation,disenfranchising all Polish citizens involved with the communistSecurity Service or communist-eranomenklatura. It accused theCabinet of Hanna Suchocka of not beingAtlanticist enough and Wałęsa of planning to keep power by force.[3]
Economically, it supportedfree market economics,private ownership,privatization and integration with theEuropean Union. It praised the economic reforms ofMargaret Thatcher. In terms of foreign policy, it supportedthe creation of a strong army and joining NATO, encouraging caution againstRussia, denying the notion of athird way or compromise between the "western" and "eastern" spheres. It called for closer cooperation with Poland's neighbours – especiallySlovakia,Hungary, theCzech Republic andUkraine.[1]
To achieve its goals, the Movement sought to create aunited front of rightwing political parties, consisting of the Movement itself,Real Politics Union,Centre Agreement,Movement for the Republic, National Christian Movement "Polish Action",National Party,Christian National Union,Peasants' Agreement andLabour Party.
It based itself on "rightwing-conservative" ideals, which it described as:[1]
The Movement was divided into several bodies: the Presidium of Management, Supreme Committee, Revisional Commission and Disciplinary Court.
The Presidium of Management consisted of chairman Jan Parys, vice-chairmen Tadeusz Stański and Waldemar Pernach, secretary Marian Bąkowski and treasurer Jan Laskowski.[1]
| Election | # of votes | % of votes | # of overall seats won | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 609,973 | 4.42 (#9) | 0 / 460 | Extra-parliamentary |
| As part of thePC-ZP coalition. | ||||
| Election year | Candidate | 1st round | |
|---|---|---|---|
| # of overall votes | % of overall vote | ||
| 1995 | SupportedJan Olszewski | 1,225,453 | 6.86 (#4) |
