Poland Passport

The Republic of Poland (Polish: Rzeczpospolita Polska）。

【 Area 】 312705 square kilometers

【 Population 】 37.552 million (as of July 2024). Among them, the Polish ethnic group accounts for about 96.5% (according to the 2021 national census data), in addition to ethnic minorities such as Germans, Belarusians, Ukrainians, Russians, Lithuanians, and Jews. The official language is Polish. About 90% of the residents in the country believe in Roman Catholicism.

【 Capital 】 Warsaw. The population is 1.8615 million (2023).

[Head of State] President Andrzej Duda, inaugurated in August 2015 for a term of 5 years. Successfully re elected in July 2020, serving until 2025.

[Important Festival] National Day: May 3rd (Constitution Day, May 3rd, 1791, when Poland promulgated its first constitution); November 11th (Independence Day, Poland declared its restoration of independence in November 1918).

【 Overview 】 Located in central Europe, it borders Germany to the west, Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south, Russia, Lithuania, Belarus, and Ukraine to the east, and the Baltic Sea to the north. The coastline is 661 kilometers long. It belongs to the temperate broad-leaved forest climate that transitions from oceanic to continental climate. The average temperature in January is -5 to -1 ℃, and in July it is 17 to 19 ℃.

The origin of the Polish state can be traced back to the alliance of tribes such as Poland, Vistula, Silesia, Eastern Pomerania, and Mazovia among the Western Slavs. Feudal dynasties were established in the 9th and 10th centuries, reached their peak in the 14th and 15th centuries, and began to decline in the second half of the 18th century. In 1772, 1793, and 1795, it was divided three times by Tsarist Russia, Prussia, and Austria Hungary, and regained independence on November 11, 1918. On September 1, 1939, fascist Germany invaded Poland, marking the outbreak of World War II. After the war, the Republic of Poland was established and later renamed the People's Republic of Poland. The Polish United Workers' Party (Communist Party) has been in power for over 40 years. In 1980, the anti-government organization, the Solidarity Union, organized a nationwide strike. The Polish authorities declared the Solidarity Union an illegal organization from December 1981 to July 1983 during wartime. In April 1989, the parliament passed resolutions legalizing the Solidarity Union and implementing parliamentary democracy. The Solidarity Union won the early parliamentary elections held in June of that year and established a government with it as the main body. On December 29th, the parliament passed a constitutional amendment to change the country's name to the Republic of Poland and designated May 3rd as National Day.

[Politics] Implement parliamentary democracy, with the president as the head of state. In 2015, the candidate of the Law and Justice Party, Angie Duda, was elected as the president. He was re elected in 2020 and will serve until 2025. Parliamentary elections will be held in October 2023, and a new government will be sworn in in December, with Donald Tusk (Civic Party) serving as Prime Minister.

In April 1997, the Polish National Assembly (joint session of the House and Senate) passed a new constitution. The new constitution came into effect in October 1997. The new constitution establishes a political system of separation of powers and an economic system dominated by a social market economy. It stipulates that the House of Representatives and the Senate have legislative power, the President and the government have executive power, and the courts and tribunals exercise judicial power; The foundation of the wave economy system is principles such as economic liberalization and private ownership; The armed forces maintain neutrality in national political affairs. According to the new constitution, if the president vetoes a bill submitted by parliament or the government, parliament can veto the president's decision by a three fifths majority.

The parliament is composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and is the highest legislative body in the country with a term of four years. There are 460 members of the House of Representatives (out of 459 currently) and 100 senators, all of whom are elected directly. The current parliament will be established in October 2023. Distribution of seats in the House of Representatives (October 2024): 190 seats for the Law and Justice Party, 156 seats for the Civic Alliance (with the Civic Platform Party as the main body), 32 seats for the Polish 2050 Party, 32 seats for the People's Party, 26 seats for the New Left Party, 18 seats for the Freedom and Independence Alliance, 4 seats for the Kuchz Movement, and 1 seat for non partisan individuals. Senate seat allocation (July 2024): Law and Justice Party has 34 seats, Civic Union has 42 seats, Poland 2050 Party and People's Party (Third Way) have a total of 12 seats, New Left Party has 7 seats, and independent individuals have 5 seats.

The current government will be established in December 2023. The cabinet list is as follows: Prime Minister Donald Tusk (Civic Alliance), Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister W ł adys ł aw Kosiniak Kamysz (People's Party), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digitalization Krzysztof Gawkowski (New Left Party), Minister of Justice Adam Bodnar (Independent), Minister of Foreign Affairs Rados ł aw Sikorski (Civic Alliance), Minister of European Affairs Adam Sz ł apka (Civic Alliance), Minister of Interior Tomas Shemoniak (Interior Minister) Siemoniak, Citizen Alliance), Hanna Wr, Minister of Culture and National Heritage ó blewska, non party), Andrzej Doma ń ski, Minister of Finance, Jakub Jaworowski, Minister of State owned Assets, S ł awomir Nitras, Minister of Sports and Tourism, Barbara Nowacka, Minister of Education, Izabela Leszczyna, Minister of Infrastructure Dariusz Klimczak (People's Democratic Party), Minister of Development and Technology Krzysztof Paszyk (People's Party), Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Czes ł aw Siekierski, People's Party), Minister of Climate and Environment Paulina Hennig Kloska (Polish 2050 Party), Minister of Funds and Regional Policy Katarzyna Pe ł czy ń ska Na ł ę cz (Polish 2050 Party), Minister of Family, Work and Social Policy Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-B ą k (New Left Party), Minister of Science Dariusz Wieczorek (New Left Party), Minister of Industry Margena Chalnitzka Marzena Czarnecka, an independent, Marzena Ok ł a-Drewnowicz, Minister of Elderly Policy, and Katarzyna Kotula, Minister of Social Equality, New Left Party), Adriana Porowska, Minister of Civil Society and Chairman of the Public Interest Committee (Polish 2050 Party), Maciej Berek, member of the Council of Ministers and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Council of Ministers (independent), Jan Grabiac, Member of the Council of Ministers and Director of the Prime Minister's Office (Civic Alliance), Marcin Kierwi ń ski, Member of the Council of Ministers (Civic Alliance).

In July 1998, the parliament passed the government's reform plan for local autonomous institutions, which decided to adjust the original 49 provinces to 16 provinces and re-establish the county system from the provincial and township levels to the provincial, county, and township levels, with a total of 16 provinces, 314 counties, and 2477 townships. The new mechanism was launched on January 1, 1999.

The Supreme Court is the highest judicial institution in the country. The Supreme Court supervises the trial activities of its subordinate courts. The judge is appointed by the President and the current President of the Supreme Court, Ma ł gorzata Manowska, took office in May 2020. The General Prosecutor's Office is the highest procuratorial organ in the country, with the main responsibility of leading and supervising the work of subordinate procuratorates. This position is concurrently held by the Minister of Justice. The current Attorney General Adam Bodnar will take office in December 2023.

According to the New Party Law implemented in 1998, it is necessary to collect signatures from at least 1000 adults in order to establish a political party. There are currently over 200 registered political parties. The main parties that will win seats in the 2023 parliamentary elections are:

(1) Law and Justice Party: The opposition party. Established in June 2001, with over 45000 party members. The party has conservative and Christian democratic characteristics. Politically, advocating for the implementation of a system of disclosing the assets of politicians, establishing strong anti-corruption agencies, and severely punishing criminals; Implement a policy that favors families, especially by providing state subsidies to less affluent families with multiple children and encouraging childbirth. In terms of diplomacy, we advocate pro American integration with Europe, while emphasizing autonomy within the EU, firmly safeguarding our own interests, attaching importance to strengthening relations with other Central and Eastern European countries, and being tough on Russia. The current party chairman Jaros ł aw Kaczy ń ski.

(2) Civic Platform: Member of the ruling coalition. Established in January 2001, with approximately 26000 party members (as of June 2023). The party combines conservative liberalism, neoliberalism, and Christian democracy. The main program is to implement a free market economy, vigorously develop education, fight against corruption, depoliticize the country, and carry out structural transformation in rural areas. In terms of diplomacy, we actively advocate for comprehensive integration into Europe and the development of good neighborly relations with neighboring countries. The current party chairman Donald Tusk.

(3) Poland 2050 Party: Member of the ruling coalition. Established by Szymon Ho ł ownia as a Polish social and political movement with centrist characteristics after winning third place in the 2020 presidential election. The party supports green politics and Christian democratic principles ideologically, and also incorporates elements of liberalism, social democracy, and conservatism, advocating for a social market economy and sustainable development. The current party chairman, Szymon Ho ł ownia.

(4) Political People's Party: Member of the ruling coalition. History can be traced back to the 19th century. After the dramatic changes in Eastern Europe, it was re established in May 1990 with approximately 73000 party members (as of June 2023). The party has the characteristics of centristism, new egalitarianism, Christian democracy, and new Keynesianism in ideology. Advocate for state support for agriculture, providing free education and healthcare, slowing down the pace of privatization, opposing a single tax system, and supporting European integration. The current party chairman, W ł adys ł aw Kosiniak Kamysz.

(5) New Left: Member of the ruling coalition. Established in 2021 by a combination of the former Democratic Left Alliance and the Spring Party, with approximately 20000 members (as of 2022). The party is a social democratic party and one of the main center left forces in Poland. Advocate for bridging social divides, eliminating the impact of institutional transition, creating a more equitable economic system, and focusing on social secularization, gender equality, LGBT rights, and climate change issues. The current chairman of the Communist Party, W ł odzimierz Czarzasty, and Robert Biedero ń.

(6) Confederation Liberty and Independence: The opposition party. Established in December 2018, the right-wing political party alliance was originally formed to participate in the European Parliament elections and later retained as an official party. Adhering to European skepticism, advocating for simplified judicial procedures, universal tax cuts, and granting parents the right to participate in deciding the content of their children's education, hoping to reduce dependence on military alliances by strengthening their own national defense construction. Current party chairpersons S ł awomir Mentzen, Krzysztof Bosak, and Grzegorz Braun.

NSZZ Solidarno ść, Independent Self governing Labour Union "Solidarity": Established in 1980. There are 680000 members. It was banned when the Polish authorities announced military control in December 1982. In April 1989, it regained its legal status and won parliamentary elections in June of the same year, establishing a government with it as its main body. He did not enter parliament in the September 1993 general election. In June 1996, 35 right-wing political parties and groups, including the Christian National Unity Party and the Center Agreement, formed the "Solidarity Union Election Alliance" (referred to as the "Union Election Alliance"), which won the 1997 parliamentary election and formed a coalition government with the Free Alliance. In 2001, due to internal conflicts within the ruling coalition and ineffective reform measures, the government's support rate significantly decreased, and many political parties and legislators withdrew from the "Youth League". In the 2001 election, the "Joint Electoral Union" did not enter the parliament. In October, the Solidarity Union held its 14th National Congress and made a resolution to prohibit any political organization from using the name and logo of "Solidarity Union", and to prohibit union leaders from holding leadership positions in political parties at the same time. The Solidarity Union has become a purely trade union social organization. Chairman Piotr Duda was elected in October 2010.

[Important Person] Angel Duda: President. Born in 1972, holds a PhD in Law from Jagiellonian University and has worked as a teaching assistant at Jagiellonian University. In 2005, he joined the Law and Justice Party and served as an advisor to the Judicial Committee of the Party's parliamentary group, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Prosecutor of the National Prosecutor's Office, and Deputy State Secretary of the Presidential Palace. Elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 2011, appointed as the spokesperson for the Law and Justice Party in 2013, and elected as a member of the European Parliament in 2014. Elected as President in May 2015 and re elected in 2020, serving until August 2025. Married, with one daughter.

Donald Tusk: Prime Minister. Born in 1957, graduated from the University of Gdansk. After the transition of the Polish system, he founded the Free Democratic Association and the Civic Platform Party, and served as the chairman of the Civic Platform Party for a long time. He was elected multiple times as a member of the Polish House of Representatives and a senator. He served as the Prime Minister of Poland from 2007 to 2014, the President of the European Council from 2014 to 2019, and the President of the European People's Party from 2019 to 2022. Re elected as the Prime Minister of Poland in December 2023.

After the dramatic changes in 1989, the "shock therapy" led to a temporary economic downturn. Since 1992, the economy has rebounded and gradually become one of the fastest-growing countries in Central and Eastern Europe. After joining the European Union, the economy has made rapid progress. In 2009, due to the impact of the international financial crisis, the economy experienced a significant decline, but still performed better than most EU countries, making it the only country within the EU to achieve positive growth. At present, the total economic output ranks 6th among the 27 EU countries and 19th per capita. In 2020, due to the impact of the epidemic, the economy of Poland declined by 2.8%, and its total economic output ranked sixth in the European Union. In 2021, the Polish economy recovered with a year-on-year increase of 5.7% in gross domestic product. In 2022, due to the impact of the Ukrainian crisis, the growth rate of the Polish economy slowed down. In 2023, the gross domestic product will increase by 0.1% year-on-year.

Gross Domestic Product: 774.8 billion euros. In 2023, data

Per capita Gross Domestic Product: 14750 euros.

Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate: 0.1%.

Currency name: Zloty (Z Ł OTY).

1 Zloty=100 GROSZ.

Annual average exchange rate: 1 US dollar ≈ 4.01 zloty, 1 euro ≈ 4.32 zloty

Inflation rate: 10.9%

Unemployment rate: 2.8%.

The main mineral resources include coal, shale gas, sulfur, copper, zinc, lead, aluminum, silver, etc. As of the end of 2021, the proven reserves of hard coal were 64.69 billion tons, lignite 23.14 billion tons, and sulfur 500 million tons. The forest (green space) area is 9.26 million hectares, with a forest coverage rate of 29.6%.

The total industrial output value in 2021, calculated at current prices, was 1947.57 billion zlotys, accounting for 74.27% of the country's gross domestic product for that year. There are 3.246 million employees in the industrial sector, accounting for 21.6% of the total employment. The main industrial products include coal, raw steel, small cars, cement, etc.

In 2021, agricultural land was 14.9529 million hectares. In 2021, the rural population will be 15.2839 million, accounting for 40.2% of the national population. The number of employed people in agriculture, forestry and fishery is 1.1378 million, accounting for 7.59% of the total number of industries. The total agricultural output value in 2021, calculated at current prices, was 134.821 billion zlotys, accounting for 5.14% of the country's gross domestic product for that year. The main grain crops include wheat, rye, barley, oats, sugar beets, potatoes, rapeseed, etc. The main exported agricultural and sideline products include meat, milk, vegetables, fruits, cocoa, and processed foods.

In 2021, the tourism industry received 6.4574 million foreign tourists. Tourists mostly come from Germany, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Italy, France, Russia, Spain, Israel, Sweden, Belarus, the Netherlands, Lithuania, and so on. The main tourist destinations include the capital Warsaw, coastal cities of Gdansk, Sopot, and Szczecin, as well as Toren, Olsztyn, the southern ancient city of Krakow, the mountain cities of Zakopane and Krenica, and the eastern Biavowiza forest area.

The transportation situation in 2021 is as follows:

Railway: The total length of the railway is 19326 kilometers, including 19326 kilometers of standard gauge railway (including 12137 kilometers of electrified railway); The passenger volume is 245 million, and the freight volume is 238 million tons.

Highway: The total length of the highway is 429800 kilometers; There are 25.89 million small cars and 4.14 million heavy trucks; The passenger volume is 168 million, and the freight volume is 1.95 billion tons.

Water transportation: The total length of inland waterway transportation lines is 3768 kilometers, with a cargo volume of 3.465 million tons and a passenger volume of 986000 people; The sea freight volume is 9.587 million tons, and the sea passenger volume is 1.487 million. There are a total of 130 ocean going vessels, including 82 cargo ships with a carrying capacity of 2.554 million deadweight tons; There are six maritime commercial ports with a cargo throughput of 96.663 million tons, including 14.391 million tons for transshipment. The main seaports include Gdansk, Gdynia, Sivinousiche, and Szczecin.

Air freight: The passenger volume was 6.996 million and the freight volume was 91000 tons. The main international airport is Warsaw Chopin International Airport.

Pipeline transportation: The total length of the main pipeline for transporting petroleum and its products is 2483 kilometers, with a pipeline transportation capacity of 49.855 million tons.

In 2021, the fiscal revenue of Poland was 494.844 billion zlotys, the expenditure was 521.217 billion zlotys, and the fiscal deficit was 26.373 billion zlotys. As of the end of 2021, Poland's total external debt was 365.736 billion zlotys, and its foreign exchange reserves were 156.5 billion euros by the end of 2022.

Foreign trade mainly imports petroleum, automobiles, steel, synthetic materials, and industrial refined oil products. The main exports include automobiles, internal combustion engines, rubber products, aluminum products, agricultural products, etc.

The import and export situation of Poland from 2019 to 2021 is as follows (in billions of euros):