This article lists the heads of state of Poland. Currently, the president of Poland is the head of state of the country.
See: Poland in the Early Middle Ages
Most of these rulers appear for the first time in chronicles from the 13th century.
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lech I | 6th century | 6th century | 6th century | Legendary founder of the Polish nation | Lechites (tribe) | |
Krakus I
| 8th century | 8th century | 8th century | Legendary founder of Krak贸w | Lechites (tribe) | |
Krakus II
| 8th century | 8th century | 8th century | According to the legend, he ruled in Krak贸w. | Lechites (tribe) | |
Lech II | 8th century | 8th century | 8th century | According to the legend, he ruled in Krak贸w. | Lechites (tribe) | |
Wanda
| 8th century | 8th century | 8th century | Legendary daughter of Krakus | Lechites (tribe) | |
Leszko I
| 7th / 8th centuries | 7th / 8th centuries | 7th [1] / 8th centuries | A legendary ruler of the West Slavic ("proto-Polish") tribe of Goplans and Polans | Goplans and Polans (tribes) | |
Leszko II
| 8th century | 8th century | 8th century | A legendary duke of Polans | Popielids | |
Leszko III
| 8th century | 8th century | 8th century | A legendary duke of Polans | Popielids | |
Popiel I
| 8th century | 8th century | 8th century | A legendary duke of Polans | Popielids | |
Popiel II
| 9th century | 9th century | 9th century | A legendary ruler dethroned by Piast. He appears (without the number) in the oldest Polish chronicle, Gesta principum Polonorum from the early XII century. | Popielids | |
Piast the Wheelwright | 9th century | 9th century | 9th century | A legendary founder of the Piast dynasty. Son of Cho艣cisko, father of Siemowit. He appears in the oldest Polish chronicle, Gesta principum Polonorum from the early XII century. | Piast |
Several historians tend to believe that three legendary rulers of early Poland before Mieszko I might actually be historical persons. They appear in the oldest Polish chronicle, Gesta principum Polonorum from the early 12th century.
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Siemowit
| 9th century | 9th century | 9th century | Son of Piast the Wheelwright and Rzepicha | Piast | |
Lestek
| 9th / 10th centuries | 9th / 10th centuries | 9th / 10th centuries | Son of Siemowit | Piast | |
Siemomys艂
| 10th century | 10th century | 10th century | Son of Lestek | Piast |
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mieszko I
| ca. 940 鈥 25 May 992 | ca. 960 | 992 | Son of Siemomys艂. First Christian Polish monarch. Misico, dux Wandalorum | Piast | |
Boles艂aw I the Brave
| 967 鈥 17 June 1025 | Duke: 992 King: 18 April 1025 | Duke: 18 April 1025 King: 17 June 1025 | Son of Mieszko I and Dobrawa of Bohemia. First to be crowned king. Regnum Sclavorum, Gothorum sive Polonorum | Piast | |
Mieszko II Lambert | ca. 990 鈥 10/11 May 1034 | 1025 | 1031 | Son of Boles艂aw I and Emnilda of Lusatia | Piast | |
Bezprym
| ca. 986鈥1032 | 1031 | 1032 | Son of Boles艂aw I and Judith of Hungary | Piast | |
Otto Boles艂awowic
| 1000鈥1033 | 1032 | 1032 | Son of Boles艂aw I and Emnilda | Piast | |
Dytryk
| after 992 鈥 after 1032 | 1032 | 1032 /1033 | Grandson of Mieszko I and Oda of Haldensleben | Piast | |
Mieszko II Lambert
| ca. 990 鈥 10/11 May 1034 | 1032 | 1034 | Restored | Piast | |
Boles艂aw the Forgotten
| before 1016 鈥 1038 or 1039 | 1034 | 1038 /1039 | Semi-legendary, existence disputed | Piast | |
Casimir I the Restorer
| 25 June 1016 鈥 28 November 1058 (aged 42) | 1039 | 1058 | Son of Mieszko II and Richeza of Lotharingia | Piast | |
Boles艂aw II the Generous
| ca. 1041 or 1042 鈥 2 or 3 April 1081 or 1082 | Duke: 1058 King: 1076 | Duke: 1076 King: 1079 | Son of Kazimierz I and Maria Dobroniega of Kiev | Piast | |
W艂adys艂aw I Herman
| ca. 1044 鈥 4 June 1102 | 1079 | 1102 | Son of Kazimierz I and Maria Dobroniega | Piast | |
Zbigniew
| ca. 1073 鈥 8 July 1113 | 1102 | 1107 | Son of W艂adys艂aw I and Przec艂awa of Prawdzic coat of arms (disputed). First jointly with W艂adys艂aw I, 1098-1102 | Piast | |
Boles艂aw III Wrymouth
| 20 August 1086 鈥 28 October 1138 (aged 52) | 1107 | 1138 | Son of W艂adys艂aw I and Judith of Bohemia. First jointly with W艂adys艂aw, 1098-1102. Introduced senioral principle | Piast |
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W艂adys艂aw II the Exile
| 1105 鈥 30 May 1159 | 1138 | 1146 | Son of Boles艂aw III and Zbyslava of Kiev. Also Duke of Silesia. Exiled by his brothers | Piast | |
Boles艂aw IV the Curly
| ca. 1125 鈥 5 January 1173 | 1146 | 1173 | Son of Boles艂aw III and
Salomea of Berg Also Duke of Masovia | Piast | |
Mieszko III the Old
| ca. 1127 鈥 13 March 1202 | 1173 | 1177 | Son of Boles艂aw III and Salomea. Also Duke of Greater Poland | Piast | |
Casimir II the Just
| ca. 1138 鈥 5 May 1194 | 1177 | 1190 | Son of Boles艂aw III and Salomea. Also Duke of Wi艣lica and Sandomierz | Piast | |
Mieszko III the Old
| ca. 1127 鈥 13 March 1202 | 1190 | 1190 | Restored | Piast | |
Casimir II the Just
| ca. 1138 鈥 5 May 1194 | 1190 | 1194 | Restored | Piast | |
Leszek I the White
| ca. 1186 鈥 24 November 1227 | 1194 | 1198 | Son of Casimir II and Helen of Znojmo. Also Duke of Sandomierz | Piast | |
Mieszko III the Old
| ca. 1127 鈥 13 March 1202 | 1198 | 1199 | Restored | Piast | |
Leszek I the White
| ca. 1186 鈥 24 November 1227 | 1199 | 1199 | Restored | Piast | |
Mieszko III the Old
| ca. 1127 鈥 13 March 1202 | 1199 | 1202 | Restored | Piast | |
W艂adys艂aw III Spindleshanks
| ca. 1161/66 鈥 3 November 1231 | 1202 | 1202 | Son of Mieszko III and Eudoxia of Kiev. Also Duke of Greater Poland | Piast | |
Leszek I the White
| ca. 1186 鈥 24 November 1227 | 1202 | 1210 | Restored | Piast | |
Mieszko IV Tanglefoot
| ca. 1130 鈥 16 May 1211 | 1210 | 1211 | Son of W艂adys艂aw II and Agnes of Babenberg. Also Duke of Silesia | Piast | |
Leszek I the White
| ca. 1186 鈥 24 November 1227 | 1211 | 1225 | Restored | Piast | |
Henryk I the Bearded
| ca. 1165 鈥 19 March 1238 | 1225 | 1225 | Grandson of W艂adys艂aw II, son of Boles艂aw I the Tall and Krystyna. Also Duke of Silesia | Piast | |
Leszek I the White
| ca. 1186 鈥 24 November 1227 | 1225 | 1227 | Restored. Assassinated | Piast | |
W艂adys艂aw III Spindleshanks
| ca. 1161/66 鈥 3 November 1231 | 1227 | 1229 | Restored | Piast | |
Konrad I of Masovia
| ca. 1187/88 鈥 31 August 1247 | 1229 | 1232 | Son of Kazimierz II and Helen of Znojmo. Also Duke of Masovia | Piast | |
Henryk I the Bearded
| ca. 1165 鈥 19 March 1238 | 1232 | 1238 | Restored | Piast | |
Henryk II the Pious
| ca. 1196 鈥 9 April 1241 | 1238 | 1241 | Son of Henry I and Saint Hedwig of Andechs (Saint Hedwig of Silesia). Also Duke of Wroclaw and Greater Poland. Fell at the Battle of Legnica | Piast | |
Boles艂aw II the Horned
| ca. 1220鈥1278 | 1241 | 1241 | Son of Henry II and Anne of Bohemia. Also Duke of Silesia | Piast | |
Konrad I of Masovia
| ca. 1187/88 鈥 31 August 1247 | 1241 | 1243 | Restored | Piast | |
Boles艂aw V the Chaste
| 21 June 1226 鈥 7 December 1279 | 1243 | 1279 | Son of Leszek the White and Grzymislawa of Luck | Piast | |
Leszek II the Black
| ca. 1241 鈥 30 September 1288 | 1279 | 1288 | Grandson of Konrad I of Masovia. Maternal grandson of Henry II. Son of Casimir I of Kuyavia and Constance of Wroc艂aw | Piast | |
Boles艂aw II of Masovia
| ca. 1251 鈥 20 April 1313 | 1288 | 1288 | Grandson of Konrad I of Masovia Duke of Masovia | Piast | |
Henryk IV Probus
| ca. 1257/58 鈥 23 June 1290 | 1288 | 1289 | Paternal grandson of Henryk II. Maternal grandson of Konrad I. Son of Henry III the White and Judyta of Masovia. Duke of Lower Silesia | Piast | |
Boles艂aw II of Masovia
| ca. 1251 鈥 20 April 1313 | 1289 | 1289 | Restored | Piast | |
W艂adys艂aw I the Elbow-high
| 1261 鈥 2 March 1333 | 1289 | 1289 | Grandson of Konrad I of Masovia. Son of Kazimierz I of Kujawia and Euphrosyne of Opole | Piast | |
Henryk IV Probus
| ca. 1257/58 鈥 23 June 1290 | 1289 | 1290 | Restored | Piast |
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Przemys艂 II
| 14 October 1257 鈥 8 February 1296 (aged 38) | High Duke: 1290 King: 1295 | High Duke: 1291 King: 1296 | Grandson of Henryk II. Son of Przemys艂 I and Elisabeth of Wroc艂aw. Also Duke of Pozna艅, Greater Poland, and Pomerania | Piast |
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wenceslaus II of Bohemia
| 27 September 1271 鈥 21 June 1305 (aged 33) | High Duke: 1291 King: 1300 | High Duke: 1300 King: 1305 | Son of Ottokar II of Bohemia and Kunigunda of Slavonia. Married Przemys艂 II's daughter Elisabeth Richeza of Poland. Also King of Bohemia | P艡emyslid | |
Wenceslaus III of Bohemia
| 6 October 1289 鈥 4 August 1306 (aged 16) | 1305 | 1306 | Son of Wenceslaus II and Judith of Habsburg. Uncrowned. Assassinated | P艡emyslid |
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W艂adys艂aw I the Elbow-high
| 1261 鈥 2 March 1333 | 1320 | 1333 | Restored. Reunited the Kingdom of Poland | Piast | |
Casimir III the Great
| 30 April 1310 鈥 5 November 1370 (aged 60) | 1333 | 1370 | Son of W艂adys艂aw I the Elbow-high and Jadwiga of Kalisz. Regarded as one of the greatest Polish monarchs | Piast |
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Louis I of Hungary
| 5 March 1326 鈥 10 September 1382 (aged 56) | 1370 | 1382 | Son of Charles I of Hungary and Elizabeth of Poland. Nephew of Casimir III. Elected king and crowned on 17 November. Also King of Hungary | Anjou | |
Jadwiga of Poland
| 1373/4 鈥 17 July 1399 | 16 October 1384 | 17 July 1399 | Daughter of Louis I and Elizabeth of Bosnia. Crowned king to emphasise her monarchical status, 1384. Reigned jointly with her husband W艂adys艂aw II Jagie艂艂o from 1386 | Anjou |
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W艂adys艂aw II Jagie艂艂o
| ca. 1351/1362 鈥 | 1 June 14344 March 1386 | 1 June 1434 | Son of Algirdas of Lithuania and Uliana of Tver. Grand Duke of Lithuania, 1377-1434. Reigned jointly with his wife Jadwiga till 1399. Longest-reigning King of Poland | Jagiellonian | |
W艂adys艂aw III of Poland
| 31 October 1424 鈥 10 November 1444 (aged 20) | 25 July 1434 | 10 November 1444 | Son of W艂adys艂aw II Jagie艂艂o and Sophia of Halshany. Also king of Hungary, as Ul谩szl贸 I. Fell at the Battle of Varna, in Bulgaria, hence called "of Varna" | Jagiellonian | |
Casimir IV Jagiellon
| 30 November 1427 - 7 June 1492 (aged 64) | 25 June 1447 | 7 June 1492 | Son of W艂adys艂aw II and Sophia of Halshany. Also Grand Duke of Lithuania, 1440鈥92. His successful reign ended in the final destruction of the Teutonic Knights. | Jagiellonian | |
John I Albert
| 27 December 1459 鈥 17 June 1501 (aged 41) | 23 September 1492 | 16 June 1501 | Son of Casimir IV and Elisabeth of Austria | Jagiellonian | |
Alexander I Jagiellon
| 5 August 1461 鈥 19 August 1506 (aged 45) | 12 December 1501 | 19 August 1506 | Son of Casimir IV and Elisabeth of Austria. Also Grand Duke of Lithuania, 1492-1506 | Jagiellonian | |
Sigismund I the Old
| 1 January 1467 鈥 1 April 1548 (aged 81) | 8 December 1506 | 1 April 1548 | Son of Casimir IV and Elisabeth of Austria. Also Grand Duke of Lithuania. Forced Prussian Homage in 1525. Annexed the Duchy of Masovia in 1526. Entered an alliance with Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor | Jagiellonian | |
Sigismund II Augustus
| 1 August 1520 鈥 7 July 1572 (aged 51) | 1 April 1548 | 7 July 1572 | Son of Sigismund I and Bona Sforza. Also Grand Duke of Lithuania. Replaced the personal union of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania with a real union and an elective monarchy ( Polish鈥揕ithuanian Commonwealth) in 1569 | Jagiellonian |
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Henry de Valois
| 19 September 1551 鈥 2 August 1589 (aged 37) | 21 February 1574 | 12 May 1575 | Son of Henry II of France and Catherine de' Medici. Abandoned the Polish throne three months after his coronation in order to become King of France | Valois | |
Anna
| 18 October 1523 鈥 9 September 1596 (aged 72) | 15 December 1575 | 12 December 1586 | Daughter of Sigismund I and Bona Sforza. Reigned together with her husband Stephen B谩thory | Jagiellonian | |
Stephen B谩thory
| 27 September 1533 鈥 12 December 1586 (aged 53) | 15 December 1575 | 12 December 1586 | Son of Stephen VIII B谩thory and Catherine Telegdi. Prince of Transylvania. Reigned together with his wife Anna | B谩thory | |
Sigismund III
| 20 June 1566 鈥 30 April 1632 | (aged 65)18 September 1587 | 19 April 1632 | Grandson of Sigismund I. Son of John III of Sweden and Catherine Jagiellon. Also King of Sweden 1592-1599, titular King 1599鈥1632. During his reign Polish troops captured Moscow. Moved the capital from Krak贸w to Warsaw | Vasa | |
W艂adys艂aw IV
| 9 June 1595 鈥 20 May 1648 | (aged 52)8 November 1632 | 20 May 1648 | Son of Sigismund III and Anne of Austria. Titular Tsar of Russia 1610鈥1634, titular King of Sweden 1632鈥1648 | Vasa | |
John II Casimir
| 22 March 1609 鈥 16 December 1672 (aged 63) | 20 November 1648 | 16 September 1668 | Son of Sigismund III and Constance of Austria. Titular King of Sweden 1648-1660. Abdicated | Vasa | |
Michael I
| May 31, 1640 鈥 November 10, 1673 (aged 33) | 19 June 1669 | 10 November 1673 | Son of a successful but controversial military commander, Jeremi Wi艣niowiecki, and Gryzelda Konstancja Zamoyska | Wi艣niowiecki | |
John III
| 17 August 1629 鈥 17 June 1696 (aged 66) | 21 May 1674 | 17 June 1696 | Son of Jakub Sobieski and Zofia Teofillia Dani艂owicz. Most famous for his brilliant victory over the Turks at the Battle of Vienna in 1683 | Sobieski | |
Augustus II the Strong
| 12 May 1670 鈥 1 February 1733 (aged 62) | 15 September 1697 | 16 February 1704 (deposed) 24 September 1706 (abdicates) | Son of John George III and Anna Sophie of Denmark. Elector of Saxony as Frederick Augustus I, 1694鈥1733 | Wettin | |
Stanis艂aw I
| 20 October 1677 鈥 23 February 1766 (aged 88) | 4 October 1705 | 8 August 1709 | Son of Rafa艂 Leszczy艅ski and Anna Jab艂onowska. Yielded to Augustus II | Leszczy艅ski | |
Augustus II the Strong
| 12 May 1670 鈥 1 February 1733 (aged 62) | 8 August 1709 | 1 February 1733 | Restored | Wettin | |
Stanis艂aw I
| 20 October 1677 鈥 23 February 1766 (aged 88) | 12 September 1733 | 30 June 1734 (deposed) 27 January 1736 (abdicates) | Restored. Defeated in the War of the Polish Succession. Became Duke of Lorraine until his death | Leszczy艅ski | |
Augustus III
| 17 October 1696 鈥 5 October 1763 | (aged 66)17 January 1734 (in opposition) 30 June 1734 (effectively) | 5 October 1763 | Son of Augustus II and Christiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth | Wettin | |
Stanis艂aw II Augustus
| 17 January 1732 鈥 12 February 1798 (aged 66) | 25 November 1764 | 7 January 1795 | Son of Stanis艂aw Poniatowski and Konstancja Czartoryska. Forced to abdicate when the Polish鈥揕ithuanian Commonwealth (a hereditary monarchy since May 3, 1791) ceased to exist | Poniatowski |
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Frederick Augustus I
| 23 December 1750 鈥 5 May 1827 (aged 76) | 9 June 1807 | 22 May 1815 | Son of Frederick Christian, Elector of Saxony and Duchess Maria Antonia of Bavaria. Duke of Warsaw. Designated as King of Poland by the General Confederation of the Kingdom of Poland in 1812 | Wettin |
Portrait | Name (Birth鈥揇eath) |
Entered office | Left office | Political party | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
鈥 |
J贸zef Pi艂sudski (1867鈥1935) |
14 November 1918 | 11 December 1922 | Independent | Provisional Chief of State until 1918 |
Portrait | Name (Birth鈥揇eath) |
Entered office | Left office | Political party | Election | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Gabriel Narutowicz (1865鈥1922) |
11 December 1922 | 16 December 1922(Died in office) |
Independent supported by Polish People's Party "Wyzwolenie" |
Dec 1922 (I) | First President of Poland. Assassinated after only 5 days in office | |
鈥 |
Maciej Rataj (1884鈥1940) Acting President |
16 December 1922 | 22 December 1922 | Polish People's Party "Piast" | 鈥 | Marshal of the Sejm | |
2 |
Stanis艂aw Wojciechowski (1869鈥1953) |
22 December 1922 | 14 May 1926(Deposed) | Polish People's Party "Piast" | Dec 1922 (II) | Deposed in the May Coup by Marshal J贸zef Pi艂sudski | |
鈥 | Maciej Rataj (1884鈥1940) Acting President |
14 May 1926 | 4 June 1926 | Polish People's Party "Piast" | 鈥 | Marshal of the Sejm | |
鈥 |
J贸zef Pi艂sudski (1867鈥1935)President-elect |
Did not take office | Sanation | May 1926 | Pi艂sudski was elected President by the National Assembly but declined to take office due to minor powers vested by the constitution. | ||
3 |
Ignacy Mo艣cicki (1867鈥1946) |
4 June 1926 | 30 September 1939 | Sanation | Jun 1926 1933 | Mo艣cicki's government was exiled to Romania after Poland's defeat in World War II on 17 September. |
After the German conquest of Poland, a Polish government-in-exile was formed under the protection of France and Britain. The President of the Republic and the government-in-exile were recognised by the United Kingdom and, later, by the United States until 6 July 1945, when the Western Allies accepted the Communist-led government backed by Joseph Stalin. Despite having lost recognition by other governments, the government-in-exile continued in London until the election of Lech Wa艂臋sa as President of the Republic of Poland in December 1990, upon which it handed over its formal powers and the insignia of the Polish Second Republic to President-elect Wa艂臋sa in a ceremony at the Warsaw Royal Castle on 22 December 1990.
The sole internationally recognised president of the exiled government was W艂adys艂aw Raczkiewicz, who took office after Ignacy Mo艣cicki's resignation in September 1939.
Portrait | Name (Birth鈥揇eath) |
Entered office | Left office | Political party | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
W艂adys艂aw Raczkiewicz (1885鈥1947) |
30 September 1939 | 6 June 1947(Died in office) | Independent | Raczkiewicz's government lost recognition by the Western Allies on 6 July 1945. | |
2 |
August Zaleski (1883鈥1972) |
9 June 1947 | 7 April 1972(Died in office) | Independent | From 1954 onwards, opposed by the Rada Trzech (Council of Three) | |
3 |
Stanis艂aw Ostrowski (1892鈥1982) |
9 April 1972 | 24 March 1979 | Independent | ||
4 |
Edward Raczy艅ski (1891鈥1993) |
8 April 1979 | 8 April 1986 | Independent | ||
5 |
Kazimierz Sabbat (1913鈥1989) |
8 April 1986 | 19 July 1989(Died in office) | Independent | ||
6 |
Ryszard Kaczorowski (1919鈥2010) |
19 July 1989 | 22 December 1990 | Independent | Kaczorowski resigned on 22 December 1990, upon the election of Lech Wa艂臋sa as President of the Republic of Poland. |
The Provisional Government of the Republic of Poland was founded under Soviet protection on 31 December 1944 and recognised by the United States and the United Kingdom since 6 July 1945. It evolved into the Government of National Unity on 28 June 1945, and eventually into the Polish People's Republic on 19 February 1947.
Portrait | Name (Birth鈥揇eath) |
Entered office | Left office | Political party | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Boles艂aw Bierut (1892鈥1956) |
31 December 1944 | 4 February 1947 | Polish Workers' Party |
Portrait | Name (Birth鈥揇eath) |
Entered office | Left office | Political party | Election | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
鈥 |
Franciszek Tr膮balski (1870鈥1964) Acting |
4 February 1947 | Polish Workers' Party | 鈥 | |||
鈥 |
W艂adys艂aw Kowalski (1894鈥1958) Acting |
4 February 1947 | 5 February 1947 | Polish Workers' Party | Marshal of the Sejm | ||
1 |
Boles艂aw Bierut (1892鈥1956) |
5 February 1947 | 20 November 1952 | Polish Workers' Party/ Polish United Workers' Party |
1947 | From December 1948, also Secretary General of the Polish United Workers' Party |
In 1952, the July Constitution abolished the office of president and made the Council of State the collective head of state, chairmen of which are listed below. Real power rested with the Polish United Workers' Party (PZPR), its Central Committee, and the secretary general/first secretary.
Portrait | Name (Birth鈥揇eath) |
Entered office | Left office | Political party | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Aleksander Zawadzki (1899鈥1964) |
20 November 1952 | 7 August 1964(Died in office) | Polish United Workers' Party | Died in office (cancer) | |
In accordance with the constitution, the vice presidents of the Council of State, Edward Ochab, Stanis艂aw Kulczy艅ski, Oskar R. Lange, and Boles艂aw Podedworny, became collegially acting heads of state. | ||||||
2 |
Edward Ochab (1906鈥1989) |
12 August 1964 | 10 April 1968 | Polish United Workers' Party | ||
3 |
Marian Spychalski (1906鈥1980) |
10 April 1968 | 23 December 1970 | Polish United Workers' Party | ||
4 |
J贸zef Cyrankiewicz (1911鈥1989) |
23 December 1970 | 28 March 1972 | Polish United Workers' Party | ||
5 |
Henryk Jab艂o艅ski (1909鈥2003) |
28 March 1972 | 6 November 1985 | Polish United Workers' Party | ||
6 |
Wojciech Jaruzelski (1923鈥2014) |
6 November 1985 | 19 July 1989 | Polish United Workers' Party | Also the First Secretary of the Polish United Workers' Party |
Since 1954, the head of the party was also the Chairman of the Central Committee.
Name (Birth鈥揇eath) |
Portrait | Entered office | Left office | Position | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
W艂adys艂aw Gomu艂ka (1905鈥1982) |
23 November 1943 | 10 August 1948 | First Secretary of PPR | ||
Boles艂aw Bierut (1892鈥1956) |
10 August 1948 | 12 March 1956(Died in office) | First Secretary of PPR to 16 December 1948;
First Secretary of PZPR from 22 December 1948 | ||
Edward Ochab (1906鈥1989) |
20 March 1956 | 21 October 1956 | First Secretary of PZPR | ||
W艂adys艂aw Gomu艂ka (1905鈥1982) |
21 October 1956 | 20 December 1970 | |||
Edward Gierek (1913鈥2001) |
20 December 1970 | 6 September 1980 | |||
Stanis艂aw Kania (1927鈥2020) |
6 September 1980 | 18 October 1981 | |||
Wojciech Jaruzelski (1923鈥2014) |
18 October 1981 | 29 July 1989 | |||
Mieczys艂aw Rakowski* (1926鈥2008) |
29 July 1989 | 29 January 1990 |
Portrait | Name (Birth鈥揇eath) |
Entered office | Left office | Political party | Election | Notes Previous office | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Wojciech Jaruzelski (1923鈥2014) |
19 July 1989 | 22 December 1990(Resigned) | Polish United Workers' Party(to 30 January 1990) | 1989 | Following the Polish Round Table Agreement between the Polish United Workers' Party and Solidarity, the Council of State was abolished. Its chairman was elected President of the People's Republic by the Parliament. | |
2 |
Lech Wa艂臋sa (born 1943) |
22 December 1990 | 22 December 1995 | Solidarity Citizens' Committee | 1990 | First president elected by popular vote | |
3 |
Aleksander Kwa艣niewski (born 1954) |
23 December 1995 | 23 December 2005 | Democratic Left Alliance | 1995 2000 | Member of the Sejm (1991鈥95). First President of the Third Republic elected twice | |
4 |
Lech Kaczy艅ski (1949鈥 2010) |
23 December 2005 | 10 April 2010(Died in office) | Law and Justice | 2005 | Senator (1989鈥91), Member of the Sejm (1991鈥93 and 2001鈥02), Mayor of Warsaw (2002-2005). Died in a plane crash | |
鈥 |
Bronis艂aw Komorowski (born 1952) Acting President |
10 April 2010 | 8 July 2010 | Civic Platform | 鈥 | Marshal of the Sejm. Resigned as Marshal of the Sejm, and thus as Acting President, after being confirmed as the winner of the 2010 presidential election | |
鈥 |
Bogdan Borusewicz (born 1949) Acting President |
8 July 2010 | 8 July 2010 | Civic Platform | Marshal of the Senate. Acting president for less than a day, between Komorowski's resignation as the Marshal of the Sejm and Grzegorz Schetyna being sworn in. | ||
鈥 |
Grzegorz Schetyna (born 1963) Acting President |
8 July 2010 | 6 August 2010 | Civic Platform | Marshal of the Sejm. Served as Acting President until Komorowski was sworn in as president as the result of the 2010 presidential election | ||
5 | Bronis艂aw Komorowski (born 1952) |
6 August 2010 | 6 August 2015 | Civic Platform | 2010 | Member of the Sejm (1991鈥2010), Marshal of the Sejm (2007鈥10); Acting President (2010). | |
6 |
Andrzej Duda (born 1972) |
6 August 2015 | Incumbent | Law and Justice | 2015 2020 | Member of the Sejm (2011鈥14), Member of the European Parliament (2014鈥15); Duda was the Law and Justice candidate in the 2015 election, but resigned his membership on 26 May 2015. Second President of the Third Republic elected twice |
This article lists the heads of state of Poland. Currently, the president of Poland is the head of state of the country.
See: Poland in the Early Middle Ages
Most of these rulers appear for the first time in chronicles from the 13th century.
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lech I | 6th century | 6th century | 6th century | Legendary founder of the Polish nation | Lechites (tribe) | |
Krakus I
| 8th century | 8th century | 8th century | Legendary founder of Krak贸w | Lechites (tribe) | |
Krakus II
| 8th century | 8th century | 8th century | According to the legend, he ruled in Krak贸w. | Lechites (tribe) | |
Lech II | 8th century | 8th century | 8th century | According to the legend, he ruled in Krak贸w. | Lechites (tribe) | |
Wanda
| 8th century | 8th century | 8th century | Legendary daughter of Krakus | Lechites (tribe) | |
Leszko I
| 7th / 8th centuries | 7th / 8th centuries | 7th [1] / 8th centuries | A legendary ruler of the West Slavic ("proto-Polish") tribe of Goplans and Polans | Goplans and Polans (tribes) | |
Leszko II
| 8th century | 8th century | 8th century | A legendary duke of Polans | Popielids | |
Leszko III
| 8th century | 8th century | 8th century | A legendary duke of Polans | Popielids | |
Popiel I
| 8th century | 8th century | 8th century | A legendary duke of Polans | Popielids | |
Popiel II
| 9th century | 9th century | 9th century | A legendary ruler dethroned by Piast. He appears (without the number) in the oldest Polish chronicle, Gesta principum Polonorum from the early XII century. | Popielids | |
Piast the Wheelwright | 9th century | 9th century | 9th century | A legendary founder of the Piast dynasty. Son of Cho艣cisko, father of Siemowit. He appears in the oldest Polish chronicle, Gesta principum Polonorum from the early XII century. | Piast |
Several historians tend to believe that three legendary rulers of early Poland before Mieszko I might actually be historical persons. They appear in the oldest Polish chronicle, Gesta principum Polonorum from the early 12th century.
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Siemowit
| 9th century | 9th century | 9th century | Son of Piast the Wheelwright and Rzepicha | Piast | |
Lestek
| 9th / 10th centuries | 9th / 10th centuries | 9th / 10th centuries | Son of Siemowit | Piast | |
Siemomys艂
| 10th century | 10th century | 10th century | Son of Lestek | Piast |
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mieszko I
| ca. 940 鈥 25 May 992 | ca. 960 | 992 | Son of Siemomys艂. First Christian Polish monarch. Misico, dux Wandalorum | Piast | |
Boles艂aw I the Brave
| 967 鈥 17 June 1025 | Duke: 992 King: 18 April 1025 | Duke: 18 April 1025 King: 17 June 1025 | Son of Mieszko I and Dobrawa of Bohemia. First to be crowned king. Regnum Sclavorum, Gothorum sive Polonorum | Piast | |
Mieszko II Lambert | ca. 990 鈥 10/11 May 1034 | 1025 | 1031 | Son of Boles艂aw I and Emnilda of Lusatia | Piast | |
Bezprym
| ca. 986鈥1032 | 1031 | 1032 | Son of Boles艂aw I and Judith of Hungary | Piast | |
Otto Boles艂awowic
| 1000鈥1033 | 1032 | 1032 | Son of Boles艂aw I and Emnilda | Piast | |
Dytryk
| after 992 鈥 after 1032 | 1032 | 1032 /1033 | Grandson of Mieszko I and Oda of Haldensleben | Piast | |
Mieszko II Lambert
| ca. 990 鈥 10/11 May 1034 | 1032 | 1034 | Restored | Piast | |
Boles艂aw the Forgotten
| before 1016 鈥 1038 or 1039 | 1034 | 1038 /1039 | Semi-legendary, existence disputed | Piast | |
Casimir I the Restorer
| 25 June 1016 鈥 28 November 1058 (aged 42) | 1039 | 1058 | Son of Mieszko II and Richeza of Lotharingia | Piast | |
Boles艂aw II the Generous
| ca. 1041 or 1042 鈥 2 or 3 April 1081 or 1082 | Duke: 1058 King: 1076 | Duke: 1076 King: 1079 | Son of Kazimierz I and Maria Dobroniega of Kiev | Piast | |
W艂adys艂aw I Herman
| ca. 1044 鈥 4 June 1102 | 1079 | 1102 | Son of Kazimierz I and Maria Dobroniega | Piast | |
Zbigniew
| ca. 1073 鈥 8 July 1113 | 1102 | 1107 | Son of W艂adys艂aw I and Przec艂awa of Prawdzic coat of arms (disputed). First jointly with W艂adys艂aw I, 1098-1102 | Piast | |
Boles艂aw III Wrymouth
| 20 August 1086 鈥 28 October 1138 (aged 52) | 1107 | 1138 | Son of W艂adys艂aw I and Judith of Bohemia. First jointly with W艂adys艂aw, 1098-1102. Introduced senioral principle | Piast |
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W艂adys艂aw II the Exile
| 1105 鈥 30 May 1159 | 1138 | 1146 | Son of Boles艂aw III and Zbyslava of Kiev. Also Duke of Silesia. Exiled by his brothers | Piast | |
Boles艂aw IV the Curly
| ca. 1125 鈥 5 January 1173 | 1146 | 1173 | Son of Boles艂aw III and
Salomea of Berg Also Duke of Masovia | Piast | |
Mieszko III the Old
| ca. 1127 鈥 13 March 1202 | 1173 | 1177 | Son of Boles艂aw III and Salomea. Also Duke of Greater Poland | Piast | |
Casimir II the Just
| ca. 1138 鈥 5 May 1194 | 1177 | 1190 | Son of Boles艂aw III and Salomea. Also Duke of Wi艣lica and Sandomierz | Piast | |
Mieszko III the Old
| ca. 1127 鈥 13 March 1202 | 1190 | 1190 | Restored | Piast | |
Casimir II the Just
| ca. 1138 鈥 5 May 1194 | 1190 | 1194 | Restored | Piast | |
Leszek I the White
| ca. 1186 鈥 24 November 1227 | 1194 | 1198 | Son of Casimir II and Helen of Znojmo. Also Duke of Sandomierz | Piast | |
Mieszko III the Old
| ca. 1127 鈥 13 March 1202 | 1198 | 1199 | Restored | Piast | |
Leszek I the White
| ca. 1186 鈥 24 November 1227 | 1199 | 1199 | Restored | Piast | |
Mieszko III the Old
| ca. 1127 鈥 13 March 1202 | 1199 | 1202 | Restored | Piast | |
W艂adys艂aw III Spindleshanks
| ca. 1161/66 鈥 3 November 1231 | 1202 | 1202 | Son of Mieszko III and Eudoxia of Kiev. Also Duke of Greater Poland | Piast | |
Leszek I the White
| ca. 1186 鈥 24 November 1227 | 1202 | 1210 | Restored | Piast | |
Mieszko IV Tanglefoot
| ca. 1130 鈥 16 May 1211 | 1210 | 1211 | Son of W艂adys艂aw II and Agnes of Babenberg. Also Duke of Silesia | Piast | |
Leszek I the White
| ca. 1186 鈥 24 November 1227 | 1211 | 1225 | Restored | Piast | |
Henryk I the Bearded
| ca. 1165 鈥 19 March 1238 | 1225 | 1225 | Grandson of W艂adys艂aw II, son of Boles艂aw I the Tall and Krystyna. Also Duke of Silesia | Piast | |
Leszek I the White
| ca. 1186 鈥 24 November 1227 | 1225 | 1227 | Restored. Assassinated | Piast | |
W艂adys艂aw III Spindleshanks
| ca. 1161/66 鈥 3 November 1231 | 1227 | 1229 | Restored | Piast | |
Konrad I of Masovia
| ca. 1187/88 鈥 31 August 1247 | 1229 | 1232 | Son of Kazimierz II and Helen of Znojmo. Also Duke of Masovia | Piast | |
Henryk I the Bearded
| ca. 1165 鈥 19 March 1238 | 1232 | 1238 | Restored | Piast | |
Henryk II the Pious
| ca. 1196 鈥 9 April 1241 | 1238 | 1241 | Son of Henry I and Saint Hedwig of Andechs (Saint Hedwig of Silesia). Also Duke of Wroclaw and Greater Poland. Fell at the Battle of Legnica | Piast | |
Boles艂aw II the Horned
| ca. 1220鈥1278 | 1241 | 1241 | Son of Henry II and Anne of Bohemia. Also Duke of Silesia | Piast | |
Konrad I of Masovia
| ca. 1187/88 鈥 31 August 1247 | 1241 | 1243 | Restored | Piast | |
Boles艂aw V the Chaste
| 21 June 1226 鈥 7 December 1279 | 1243 | 1279 | Son of Leszek the White and Grzymislawa of Luck | Piast | |
Leszek II the Black
| ca. 1241 鈥 30 September 1288 | 1279 | 1288 | Grandson of Konrad I of Masovia. Maternal grandson of Henry II. Son of Casimir I of Kuyavia and Constance of Wroc艂aw | Piast | |
Boles艂aw II of Masovia
| ca. 1251 鈥 20 April 1313 | 1288 | 1288 | Grandson of Konrad I of Masovia Duke of Masovia | Piast | |
Henryk IV Probus
| ca. 1257/58 鈥 23 June 1290 | 1288 | 1289 | Paternal grandson of Henryk II. Maternal grandson of Konrad I. Son of Henry III the White and Judyta of Masovia. Duke of Lower Silesia | Piast | |
Boles艂aw II of Masovia
| ca. 1251 鈥 20 April 1313 | 1289 | 1289 | Restored | Piast | |
W艂adys艂aw I the Elbow-high
| 1261 鈥 2 March 1333 | 1289 | 1289 | Grandson of Konrad I of Masovia. Son of Kazimierz I of Kujawia and Euphrosyne of Opole | Piast | |
Henryk IV Probus
| ca. 1257/58 鈥 23 June 1290 | 1289 | 1290 | Restored | Piast |
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Przemys艂 II
| 14 October 1257 鈥 8 February 1296 (aged 38) | High Duke: 1290 King: 1295 | High Duke: 1291 King: 1296 | Grandson of Henryk II. Son of Przemys艂 I and Elisabeth of Wroc艂aw. Also Duke of Pozna艅, Greater Poland, and Pomerania | Piast |
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wenceslaus II of Bohemia
| 27 September 1271 鈥 21 June 1305 (aged 33) | High Duke: 1291 King: 1300 | High Duke: 1300 King: 1305 | Son of Ottokar II of Bohemia and Kunigunda of Slavonia. Married Przemys艂 II's daughter Elisabeth Richeza of Poland. Also King of Bohemia | P艡emyslid | |
Wenceslaus III of Bohemia
| 6 October 1289 鈥 4 August 1306 (aged 16) | 1305 | 1306 | Son of Wenceslaus II and Judith of Habsburg. Uncrowned. Assassinated | P艡emyslid |
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W艂adys艂aw I the Elbow-high
| 1261 鈥 2 March 1333 | 1320 | 1333 | Restored. Reunited the Kingdom of Poland | Piast | |
Casimir III the Great
| 30 April 1310 鈥 5 November 1370 (aged 60) | 1333 | 1370 | Son of W艂adys艂aw I the Elbow-high and Jadwiga of Kalisz. Regarded as one of the greatest Polish monarchs | Piast |
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Louis I of Hungary
| 5 March 1326 鈥 10 September 1382 (aged 56) | 1370 | 1382 | Son of Charles I of Hungary and Elizabeth of Poland. Nephew of Casimir III. Elected king and crowned on 17 November. Also King of Hungary | Anjou | |
Jadwiga of Poland
| 1373/4 鈥 17 July 1399 | 16 October 1384 | 17 July 1399 | Daughter of Louis I and Elizabeth of Bosnia. Crowned king to emphasise her monarchical status, 1384. Reigned jointly with her husband W艂adys艂aw II Jagie艂艂o from 1386 | Anjou |
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W艂adys艂aw II Jagie艂艂o
| ca. 1351/1362 鈥 | 1 June 14344 March 1386 | 1 June 1434 | Son of Algirdas of Lithuania and Uliana of Tver. Grand Duke of Lithuania, 1377-1434. Reigned jointly with his wife Jadwiga till 1399. Longest-reigning King of Poland | Jagiellonian | |
W艂adys艂aw III of Poland
| 31 October 1424 鈥 10 November 1444 (aged 20) | 25 July 1434 | 10 November 1444 | Son of W艂adys艂aw II Jagie艂艂o and Sophia of Halshany. Also king of Hungary, as Ul谩szl贸 I. Fell at the Battle of Varna, in Bulgaria, hence called "of Varna" | Jagiellonian | |
Casimir IV Jagiellon
| 30 November 1427 - 7 June 1492 (aged 64) | 25 June 1447 | 7 June 1492 | Son of W艂adys艂aw II and Sophia of Halshany. Also Grand Duke of Lithuania, 1440鈥92. His successful reign ended in the final destruction of the Teutonic Knights. | Jagiellonian | |
John I Albert
| 27 December 1459 鈥 17 June 1501 (aged 41) | 23 September 1492 | 16 June 1501 | Son of Casimir IV and Elisabeth of Austria | Jagiellonian | |
Alexander I Jagiellon
| 5 August 1461 鈥 19 August 1506 (aged 45) | 12 December 1501 | 19 August 1506 | Son of Casimir IV and Elisabeth of Austria. Also Grand Duke of Lithuania, 1492-1506 | Jagiellonian | |
Sigismund I the Old
| 1 January 1467 鈥 1 April 1548 (aged 81) | 8 December 1506 | 1 April 1548 | Son of Casimir IV and Elisabeth of Austria. Also Grand Duke of Lithuania. Forced Prussian Homage in 1525. Annexed the Duchy of Masovia in 1526. Entered an alliance with Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor | Jagiellonian | |
Sigismund II Augustus
| 1 August 1520 鈥 7 July 1572 (aged 51) | 1 April 1548 | 7 July 1572 | Son of Sigismund I and Bona Sforza. Also Grand Duke of Lithuania. Replaced the personal union of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania with a real union and an elective monarchy ( Polish鈥揕ithuanian Commonwealth) in 1569 | Jagiellonian |
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Henry de Valois
| 19 September 1551 鈥 2 August 1589 (aged 37) | 21 February 1574 | 12 May 1575 | Son of Henry II of France and Catherine de' Medici. Abandoned the Polish throne three months after his coronation in order to become King of France | Valois | |
Anna
| 18 October 1523 鈥 9 September 1596 (aged 72) | 15 December 1575 | 12 December 1586 | Daughter of Sigismund I and Bona Sforza. Reigned together with her husband Stephen B谩thory | Jagiellonian | |
Stephen B谩thory
| 27 September 1533 鈥 12 December 1586 (aged 53) | 15 December 1575 | 12 December 1586 | Son of Stephen VIII B谩thory and Catherine Telegdi. Prince of Transylvania. Reigned together with his wife Anna | B谩thory | |
Sigismund III
| 20 June 1566 鈥 30 April 1632 | (aged 65)18 September 1587 | 19 April 1632 | Grandson of Sigismund I. Son of John III of Sweden and Catherine Jagiellon. Also King of Sweden 1592-1599, titular King 1599鈥1632. During his reign Polish troops captured Moscow. Moved the capital from Krak贸w to Warsaw | Vasa | |
W艂adys艂aw IV
| 9 June 1595 鈥 20 May 1648 | (aged 52)8 November 1632 | 20 May 1648 | Son of Sigismund III and Anne of Austria. Titular Tsar of Russia 1610鈥1634, titular King of Sweden 1632鈥1648 | Vasa | |
John II Casimir
| 22 March 1609 鈥 16 December 1672 (aged 63) | 20 November 1648 | 16 September 1668 | Son of Sigismund III and Constance of Austria. Titular King of Sweden 1648-1660. Abdicated | Vasa | |
Michael I
| May 31, 1640 鈥 November 10, 1673 (aged 33) | 19 June 1669 | 10 November 1673 | Son of a successful but controversial military commander, Jeremi Wi艣niowiecki, and Gryzelda Konstancja Zamoyska | Wi艣niowiecki | |
John III
| 17 August 1629 鈥 17 June 1696 (aged 66) | 21 May 1674 | 17 June 1696 | Son of Jakub Sobieski and Zofia Teofillia Dani艂owicz. Most famous for his brilliant victory over the Turks at the Battle of Vienna in 1683 | Sobieski | |
Augustus II the Strong
| 12 May 1670 鈥 1 February 1733 (aged 62) | 15 September 1697 | 16 February 1704 (deposed) 24 September 1706 (abdicates) | Son of John George III and Anna Sophie of Denmark. Elector of Saxony as Frederick Augustus I, 1694鈥1733 | Wettin | |
Stanis艂aw I
| 20 October 1677 鈥 23 February 1766 (aged 88) | 4 October 1705 | 8 August 1709 | Son of Rafa艂 Leszczy艅ski and Anna Jab艂onowska. Yielded to Augustus II | Leszczy艅ski | |
Augustus II the Strong
| 12 May 1670 鈥 1 February 1733 (aged 62) | 8 August 1709 | 1 February 1733 | Restored | Wettin | |
Stanis艂aw I
| 20 October 1677 鈥 23 February 1766 (aged 88) | 12 September 1733 | 30 June 1734 (deposed) 27 January 1736 (abdicates) | Restored. Defeated in the War of the Polish Succession. Became Duke of Lorraine until his death | Leszczy艅ski | |
Augustus III
| 17 October 1696 鈥 5 October 1763 | (aged 66)17 January 1734 (in opposition) 30 June 1734 (effectively) | 5 October 1763 | Son of Augustus II and Christiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth | Wettin | |
Stanis艂aw II Augustus
| 17 January 1732 鈥 12 February 1798 (aged 66) | 25 November 1764 | 7 January 1795 | Son of Stanis艂aw Poniatowski and Konstancja Czartoryska. Forced to abdicate when the Polish鈥揕ithuanian Commonwealth (a hereditary monarchy since May 3, 1791) ceased to exist | Poniatowski |
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Frederick Augustus I
| 23 December 1750 鈥 5 May 1827 (aged 76) | 9 June 1807 | 22 May 1815 | Son of Frederick Christian, Elector of Saxony and Duchess Maria Antonia of Bavaria. Duke of Warsaw. Designated as King of Poland by the General Confederation of the Kingdom of Poland in 1812 | Wettin |
Portrait | Name (Birth鈥揇eath) |
Entered office | Left office | Political party | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
鈥 |
J贸zef Pi艂sudski (1867鈥1935) |
14 November 1918 | 11 December 1922 | Independent | Provisional Chief of State until 1918 |
Portrait | Name (Birth鈥揇eath) |
Entered office | Left office | Political party | Election | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Gabriel Narutowicz (1865鈥1922) |
11 December 1922 | 16 December 1922(Died in office) |
Independent supported by Polish People's Party "Wyzwolenie" |
Dec 1922 (I) | First President of Poland. Assassinated after only 5 days in office | |
鈥 |
Maciej Rataj (1884鈥1940) Acting President |
16 December 1922 | 22 December 1922 | Polish People's Party "Piast" | 鈥 | Marshal of the Sejm | |
2 |
Stanis艂aw Wojciechowski (1869鈥1953) |
22 December 1922 | 14 May 1926(Deposed) | Polish People's Party "Piast" | Dec 1922 (II) | Deposed in the May Coup by Marshal J贸zef Pi艂sudski | |
鈥 | Maciej Rataj (1884鈥1940) Acting President |
14 May 1926 | 4 June 1926 | Polish People's Party "Piast" | 鈥 | Marshal of the Sejm | |
鈥 |
J贸zef Pi艂sudski (1867鈥1935)President-elect |
Did not take office | Sanation | May 1926 | Pi艂sudski was elected President by the National Assembly but declined to take office due to minor powers vested by the constitution. | ||
3 |
Ignacy Mo艣cicki (1867鈥1946) |
4 June 1926 | 30 September 1939 | Sanation | Jun 1926 1933 | Mo艣cicki's government was exiled to Romania after Poland's defeat in World War II on 17 September. |
After the German conquest of Poland, a Polish government-in-exile was formed under the protection of France and Britain. The President of the Republic and the government-in-exile were recognised by the United Kingdom and, later, by the United States until 6 July 1945, when the Western Allies accepted the Communist-led government backed by Joseph Stalin. Despite having lost recognition by other governments, the government-in-exile continued in London until the election of Lech Wa艂臋sa as President of the Republic of Poland in December 1990, upon which it handed over its formal powers and the insignia of the Polish Second Republic to President-elect Wa艂臋sa in a ceremony at the Warsaw Royal Castle on 22 December 1990.
The sole internationally recognised president of the exiled government was W艂adys艂aw Raczkiewicz, who took office after Ignacy Mo艣cicki's resignation in September 1939.
Portrait | Name (Birth鈥揇eath) |
Entered office | Left office | Political party | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
W艂adys艂aw Raczkiewicz (1885鈥1947) |
30 September 1939 | 6 June 1947(Died in office) | Independent | Raczkiewicz's government lost recognition by the Western Allies on 6 July 1945. | |
2 |
August Zaleski (1883鈥1972) |
9 June 1947 | 7 April 1972(Died in office) | Independent | From 1954 onwards, opposed by the Rada Trzech (Council of Three) | |
3 |
Stanis艂aw Ostrowski (1892鈥1982) |
9 April 1972 | 24 March 1979 | Independent | ||
4 |
Edward Raczy艅ski (1891鈥1993) |
8 April 1979 | 8 April 1986 | Independent | ||
5 |
Kazimierz Sabbat (1913鈥1989) |
8 April 1986 | 19 July 1989(Died in office) | Independent | ||
6 |
Ryszard Kaczorowski (1919鈥2010) |
19 July 1989 | 22 December 1990 | Independent | Kaczorowski resigned on 22 December 1990, upon the election of Lech Wa艂臋sa as President of the Republic of Poland. |
The Provisional Government of the Republic of Poland was founded under Soviet protection on 31 December 1944 and recognised by the United States and the United Kingdom since 6 July 1945. It evolved into the Government of National Unity on 28 June 1945, and eventually into the Polish People's Republic on 19 February 1947.
Portrait | Name (Birth鈥揇eath) |
Entered office | Left office | Political party | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Boles艂aw Bierut (1892鈥1956) |
31 December 1944 | 4 February 1947 | Polish Workers' Party |
Portrait | Name (Birth鈥揇eath) |
Entered office | Left office | Political party | Election | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
鈥 |
Franciszek Tr膮balski (1870鈥1964) Acting |
4 February 1947 | Polish Workers' Party | 鈥 | |||
鈥 |
W艂adys艂aw Kowalski (1894鈥1958) Acting |
4 February 1947 | 5 February 1947 | Polish Workers' Party | Marshal of the Sejm | ||
1 |
Boles艂aw Bierut (1892鈥1956) |
5 February 1947 | 20 November 1952 | Polish Workers' Party/ Polish United Workers' Party |
1947 | From December 1948, also Secretary General of the Polish United Workers' Party |
In 1952, the July Constitution abolished the office of president and made the Council of State the collective head of state, chairmen of which are listed below. Real power rested with the Polish United Workers' Party (PZPR), its Central Committee, and the secretary general/first secretary.
Portrait | Name (Birth鈥揇eath) |
Entered office | Left office | Political party | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Aleksander Zawadzki (1899鈥1964) |
20 November 1952 | 7 August 1964(Died in office) | Polish United Workers' Party | Died in office (cancer) | |
In accordance with the constitution, the vice presidents of the Council of State, Edward Ochab, Stanis艂aw Kulczy艅ski, Oskar R. Lange, and Boles艂aw Podedworny, became collegially acting heads of state. | ||||||
2 |
Edward Ochab (1906鈥1989) |
12 August 1964 | 10 April 1968 | Polish United Workers' Party | ||
3 |
Marian Spychalski (1906鈥1980) |
10 April 1968 | 23 December 1970 | Polish United Workers' Party | ||
4 |
J贸zef Cyrankiewicz (1911鈥1989) |
23 December 1970 | 28 March 1972 | Polish United Workers' Party | ||
5 |
Henryk Jab艂o艅ski (1909鈥2003) |
28 March 1972 | 6 November 1985 | Polish United Workers' Party | ||
6 |
Wojciech Jaruzelski (1923鈥2014) |
6 November 1985 | 19 July 1989 | Polish United Workers' Party | Also the First Secretary of the Polish United Workers' Party |
Since 1954, the head of the party was also the Chairman of the Central Committee.
Name (Birth鈥揇eath) |
Portrait | Entered office | Left office | Position | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
W艂adys艂aw Gomu艂ka (1905鈥1982) |
23 November 1943 | 10 August 1948 | First Secretary of PPR | ||
Boles艂aw Bierut (1892鈥1956) |
10 August 1948 | 12 March 1956(Died in office) | First Secretary of PPR to 16 December 1948;
First Secretary of PZPR from 22 December 1948 | ||
Edward Ochab (1906鈥1989) |
20 March 1956 | 21 October 1956 | First Secretary of PZPR | ||
W艂adys艂aw Gomu艂ka (1905鈥1982) |
21 October 1956 | 20 December 1970 | |||
Edward Gierek (1913鈥2001) |
20 December 1970 | 6 September 1980 | |||
Stanis艂aw Kania (1927鈥2020) |
6 September 1980 | 18 October 1981 | |||
Wojciech Jaruzelski (1923鈥2014) |
18 October 1981 | 29 July 1989 | |||
Mieczys艂aw Rakowski* (1926鈥2008) |
29 July 1989 | 29 January 1990 |
Portrait | Name (Birth鈥揇eath) |
Entered office | Left office | Political party | Election | Notes Previous office | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Wojciech Jaruzelski (1923鈥2014) |
19 July 1989 | 22 December 1990(Resigned) | Polish United Workers' Party(to 30 January 1990) | 1989 | Following the Polish Round Table Agreement between the Polish United Workers' Party and Solidarity, the Council of State was abolished. Its chairman was elected President of the People's Republic by the Parliament. | |
2 |
Lech Wa艂臋sa (born 1943) |
22 December 1990 | 22 December 1995 | Solidarity Citizens' Committee | 1990 | First president elected by popular vote | |
3 |
Aleksander Kwa艣niewski (born 1954) |
23 December 1995 | 23 December 2005 | Democratic Left Alliance | 1995 2000 | Member of the Sejm (1991鈥95). First President of the Third Republic elected twice | |
4 |
Lech Kaczy艅ski (1949鈥 2010) |
23 December 2005 | 10 April 2010(Died in office) | Law and Justice | 2005 | Senator (1989鈥91), Member of the Sejm (1991鈥93 and 2001鈥02), Mayor of Warsaw (2002-2005). Died in a plane crash | |
鈥 |
Bronis艂aw Komorowski (born 1952) Acting President |
10 April 2010 | 8 July 2010 | Civic Platform | 鈥 | Marshal of the Sejm. Resigned as Marshal of the Sejm, and thus as Acting President, after being confirmed as the winner of the 2010 presidential election | |
鈥 |
Bogdan Borusewicz (born 1949) Acting President |
8 July 2010 | 8 July 2010 | Civic Platform | Marshal of the Senate. Acting president for less than a day, between Komorowski's resignation as the Marshal of the Sejm and Grzegorz Schetyna being sworn in. | ||
鈥 |
Grzegorz Schetyna (born 1963) Acting President |
8 July 2010 | 6 August 2010 | Civic Platform | Marshal of the Sejm. Served as Acting President until Komorowski was sworn in as president as the result of the 2010 presidential election | ||
5 | Bronis艂aw Komorowski (born 1952) |
6 August 2010 | 6 August 2015 | Civic Platform | 2010 | Member of the Sejm (1991鈥2010), Marshal of the Sejm (2007鈥10); Acting President (2010). | |
6 |
Andrzej Duda (born 1972) |
6 August 2015 | Incumbent | Law and Justice | 2015 2020 | Member of the Sejm (2011鈥14), Member of the European Parliament (2014鈥15); Duda was the Law and Justice candidate in the 2015 election, but resigned his membership on 26 May 2015. Second President of the Third Republic elected twice |