1989 in Poland (Up to the June Elections) in the Journalism of Le Monde

The article aims to show how one of the most influential centre-to-left French journal Le Monde assessed the political developments in Poland from the end of 1988 until the Solidarity victory in the June elections. The attitude of Le Monde towards the changes in the Soviet Union and its external empire is considered as well but it serves only as a contextual backdrop. The French newspaper observed the irreversible nature of the ongoing processes in the Soviet Union that marked a significant change in Gorbachev’s foreign policy approach. The political developments of all members of the Eastern Bloc were closely examined by the daily but the changing dynamics in the Polish People’s Republic directed most of the magazine’s focus towards the situation in that country. It may seem astonishing that the journal analysed the puzzling murders of Polish priests and scrutinised the reforms introduced by M. Rakowski in significant detail. However, these issues were considered intertwined with the progress of Poland’s political transformation. The agreements made at the Round Table and the results of the June elections were viewed as significant accomplishments. The Solidarity was commended for abstaining from abrupt actions that could threaten the agreement with the authorities. Le Monde opines that such actions could be hazardous owing to the present geopolitical situation and the likelihood of resistance within the party.