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Bogdan BorusewiczPolish statesman and political figure
Date of Birth: 11.01.1949
Country:  Poland |
Content:
- Bogdan Borusewicz: A Polish Icon
- Underground Activities
- Martial Law and Underground Resistance
- Post-Martial Law Career
- Senate Marshal and Acting President
- Honors and Recognition
- Personal Life
Bogdan Borusewicz: A Polish Icon
Early Life and EducationBogdan Borusewicz, a prominent Polish politician, was born in 1949 in Gdynia. He graduated from the Faculty of Humanities at the Catholic University of Lublin in 1975, specializing in history.
Underground Activities
Borusewicz's political activism began during his time at Gdynia High School of Fine Arts. In 1968, he was arrested for printing and distributing opposition flyers.
In the 1970s, he participated in the campaign to support protesting workers in Radom and joined the Workers' Defense Committee. In 1977-1978, he was a co-founder of the "Free Trade Unions of the Coast," the precursor to the Solidarity movement. He became a key contact for dissidents in Gdańsk, connecting with Jacek Kuroń and organizing the August 1980 strike at the Gdańsk Shipyard that led to the formation of Solidarity.
Martial Law and Underground Resistance
After the imposition of martial law on December 13, 1981, Borusewicz played a vital role in organizing the Gdańsk Shipyard strike and ensuring the safety of protesters. He spent over four years in hiding, creating underground structures for the outlawed Solidarity movement.
In 1983, he secretly married union activist Alina Pienkowska, and their daughter Kinga was baptized the following year, with Borusewicz disguised as a woman. From 1984 to 1986, he was a member of Solidarity's Provisional Coordinating Committee and Provisional Union Council. He was arrested in 1986 and imprisoned, but was released in 1988 under an amnesty.
Post-Martial Law Career
After the fall of communism, Borusewicz became deputy chairperson of Solidarity in 1990-1991. He served as a member of the Sejm (Polish parliament) from 1991 to 2001, initially as leader of Solidarity and later with the Democratic Union. He held various positions, including Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration in the government of Jerzy Buzek.
Senate Marshal and Acting President
Borusewicz was elected senator from Gdańsk in 2005 and has held the post ever since. He served as Senate Marshal (speaker) from 2005 to 2015, supported by both the Law and Justice and Civic Platform parties. On July 8, 2010, he briefly became Acting President of Poland following the election of Bronisław Komorowski.
Honors and Recognition
Borusewicz has received numerous awards, including the Ukrainian Order of Merit and the Honorary Citizen of Gdańsk title. He is known in Polish media as the "President for One Day," a nickname he takes with humor: "At least people will ask about me on trivia questions!"
Personal Life
Borusewicz's wife, Alina Pienkowska, passed away in 2002. He has two children, Sebastian and Kinga.
