Editing National Conservatism (section)

==== [[File:Olszewski.png]] Jan Olszewski ====

* [[File:Olszewski.png]] '''Jan Olszewski''' was Polish lawyer and [[File:Conservative.png]] [[Conservatism|conservative]] politician. During [[File:Cball-PRPoland.png]] [[Marxism-Leninism|communism]] he defended members of opposition. Later, he joined [[File:Solidarność.png]] [[Syndicalism|Solidarity]] movement. After first free elections, he became Prime Minister of [[File:Cball-Poland.png]] Poland. Due to his strong [[File:Anticommunism2.png]] {{PCBA|Anti-Communism|de-communization efforts}} his government lost majority and was dismissed.

Jan Olszewski was born in 1930 in family sympathizing with [[File:PPS.png]] [[Democratic Socialism|PPS]] party. He self-described as sympathic to [[File:Soc-h.png]] [[Socialism|socialist causes]]. During World War II, he joined [[File:Kotwica.png]] Grey Ranks (resistance scouting organization) and took part in 1944 Warsaw Uprising. In post-war [[File:Cball-PRPoland.png]] [[Marxism-Leninism|Poland]] he graduated and became journalist. He spent long hours interviewing First Secretary of [[File:PZPR.png]] [[Marxism-Leninism|PZPR]] party, [[File:Gomułka.png]] [[National Communism|Władysław Gomułka]]. In March 1956, he was one of authors of article demanding rehabilitation of [[File:Kotwica.png]] [[Stratocracy|Home Army]] soldiers, repressed by communist authorities. The same year, "Po prostu" magazine was closed down by the authorities. In 60s, Olszewski joined the Crooked Circle Club - discussion club critical of communist regime. He soon become known as most famous defence attorney in political trials, defending: poet Janusz Szpotański, writer Melchior Wańkowicz, political activist Jacek Kuroń and historian Karol Modzelewski. This resulted in his professional activity being banned in 1968. Two years later he was allowed to return to his activity. In 1975, he signed Letter of 59, an open letter opposing changes in republic's constitution.

Jan Olszewski took part in 1989 Round Table talks. He also run in 1989 (partially-free) elections. He represented in [[File:Solidarność.png]] {{PCBA|Anti-Communism|Solidarity Citizens Committee}} and was elected MP. In 1990, he was one of founders of [[File:PC-party.png]] [[Christian Democracy|Centre Agreement]] party. He and his party were supporters of [[File:Walesa.png]] [[Neoliberalism|Lech Wałęsa]], endorsing his candidacy during 1991 presidential election. After electoral victory, Wałęsa decided to appoint new prime minister. President asked Olszewski to take the position, but he refused. Finally, Jan Krzysztof Bielecki was appointed Prime Minister. His government, supported by [[File:KLD-party.png]] [[Liberalism|Liberal-Democratic Congress]], [[File:PC-party.png]] [[Christian Democracy|Centre Agreement]] and [[File:ZChN.png]] [[National Democracy|Christian National Union]], lasted for the rest of 1991. After parliamentary election the same year, government collapsed. Next government, created by [[File:PC-party.png]] [[Christian Democracy|PC]] and [[File:ZChN.png]] [[National Democracy|ZChN]], was led by Olszewski. As a prime minister, he pursued strongly [[File:Atlanticism.png]] [[Neoconservatism|atlanticist]] foreign policy, falling in conflict with [[File:Walesa.png]] [[Neoliberalism|Wałęsa]] over withdrawal of Soviet troops - President supported transferring the military bases to international companies with Prime Minister strongly disagreeing with his proposal. Olszewski's government was minority one, depending on conditional support of other parties. He slowed down [[File:Balcerowicz.png]] [[Neoliberalism|Balcerowicz plan]], which caused more [[File:Lib.png]] [[Liberalism|liberal]] parties to turn away from the government.

Olszewski's government wanted to expose former agents of communist secret services. Resolution demanding so was passed with half of MPs absent. Interior Minister, Antoni Macierewicz, sent list of communist secret services' agents to all parties. First version of the list included various politicians, with the second one even including [[File:Walesa.png]] [[Neoliberalism|Wałęsa]]. President met with opposition and accused Olszewski of planning a coup. The meeting ended with them agreeing to dismiss the government and create new, caretaker one. Motion of no confidence was passed in the midnight, these events are known as "the nightshift". Olszewski's government was replaced by one led by President's allied [[File:PSL.png]] [[Agrarianism|PSL]] politician Waldemar Pawlak. Yet, the new prime minister soon failed to gain majority and was replaced by Hanna Suchocka. Olszewski soon left [[File:PC-party.png]] [[Christian Democracy|PC]] and founded Movement for the Republic - [[File:Distributist.png]] [[Distributism|distributist]], [[File:Protect.png]] [[Protectionism|protectionist]] and [[File:Cdem.png]] [[Christian Democracy|Christian Democratic]] party. 

He lost his seat after 1993 elections. Next, Olszewski run in 1995 presidential election, finishing fourth. As a result of his strong performance, he and his supporters founded Movement for Reconstruction of Poland (ROP). Movement was [[File:NatCath.png]] [[Religious Nationalism|Catholic nationalist]], strongly [[File:Anticommunism2.png]] {{PCBA|Anti-Communism|anti-communist}} and [[File:Welf.png]] [[Welfarism|welfarist]]. Initially, ROP was about to get around 16% of votes in 1997 parliamentary election. However, the polls changed after creation of [[File:Conservative.png]] [[Conservatism|conservative]] [[File:Solidarność.png]] Solidarity Electoral Action (AWS). In 2000 Olszewski again run in presidential election but later withdrew and endorsed [[File:Solidarność.png]] AWS candidate. He regained his seat in Sejm after 2001 election, with ROP being allied to [[File:Lpr-icon.png]] [[National Democracy#League of Polish Families|League of Polish Families]]. Soon, Olszewski's party broke with [[File:Lpr-icon.png]] LPR. Over the years, former Prime Minister grew more sceptic towards the [[File:Cball-EU.png]] [[European Federalism|European Union]]. In 2006, Olszewski was appointed adviser to President [[File:Lechkacz.png]] [[Neoconservatism|Lech Kaczyński]]. 

Jan Olszewski died in 2019, aged 83.