The Round Table Talks were negototiations between the representatives of the communist authorities and the opposition regarding possible political changes in Poland. The negotiators discussed three main topics: economy and social policy, trade union pluralism and political reforms.
Among the participants of the Round Table representing the authorities of the Polish People’s Republic were: Czesław Kiszczak (Minister of Interior Affairs in years 1981- 1990), Aleksander Kwaśniewski (Polish President in years 1995-2005), Leszek Miller (Polish Prime-minister in years 2001-2004).
Intelectuals and activists from the opposition included: Lech Wałęsa (legendary leader of Solidarity movemement, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, President of Poland in years 1990-1995), Tadeusz Mazowiecki (Prime Minister of the fist democratic government), Adam Michnik (editor-in-chief of the biggest Polish daily "Gazeta Wyborcza").
Also representatives of the Polish Catholic Church were invited as observers.
The agreement signed on 5th April 1989 allowed for solutions that had been unthinkable few monts before. Among the main provisions were: legalization of "Solidarity", free parliamentary elections to take place, increase in the freedom of expression and media as well as in the freedom of association.
Even though some right-wing politicians question the value of the Round Table Talks and call the agreement signed by opposition leaders a betrayal, it is clear for most Polish and foreign historians that the event opened way to the democratic change in Poland and other coutries of the Communist Block.
