kon.by.sie.usrnial
04.06.09, 17:09
Poland is marking the 20th anniversary of the elections that led to
the formation of the first non-communist government in the former
Soviet bloc.
Ceremonies began with a service at Krakow cathedral attended by PM
Donald Tusk and the former leader of the Solidarity union movement,
Lech Walesa.
In 1989, Solidarity won an overwhelming victory in the first,
partially-free elections in communist Eastern Europe.
The vote paved the way for the gradual end of communist rule in the
region.
In December the following year, Mr Walesa was swept to power
Poland's first democratically elected president.
'It started in Poland'
European leaders including German Chancellor Angela Merkel,
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, and the former Czech
President, Vaclav Havel, attended the ceremony at Krakow Cathedral
on Thursday marking the election that heralded the collapse of
communism.
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8083339.stm
One banner outside Krakow's cathedral on Thursday read: "1989, it
all started in Poland".
