Polish parliamentary election, 2001
All 460 seats in the Sejm
231 seats were needed for a majority in the Sejm
All 100 seats in the Senate
Turnout
46.29%
First party
Second party
Third party
Leader
Leszek Miller
Maciej Płażyński
Andrzej Lepper
Party
SLD
PO
SRP
Alliance
SLD-UP
Leader since
December 1997
24 January 2001
10 January 1992
Leader's seat
9 – Łódź
25 – Gdańsk
40 – Koszalin
Last election
164 seats, 27.1%
Did not exist
0 seats, 0.1%
Seats won
216
65
53
Seat change
52
65
53
Popular vote
5,342,519
1,651,099
1,327,624
Percentage
41.0%
12.7%
10.2%
Swing
13.9%
12.7%
10.1%
Fourth party
Fifth party
Sixth party
Leader
Lech Kaczyński
Jarosław Kalinowski
Roman Giertych
Party
PiS
PSL
LPR
Leader since
22 March 2001
11 October 1997
21 April 2001
Leader's seat
25 – Gdańsk
18 – Siedlce
20 – Warsaw II
Last election
Did not exist
27 seats, 7.3%
Did not exist
Seats won
44
42
38
Seat change
44
15
38
Popular vote
1,236,787
1,168,659
1,025,148
Percentage
9.5%
9.0%
7.9%
Swing
9.5%
1.7%
7.9%
Seventh party
Eighth party
Ninth party
Leader
Jerzy Buzek
Bronisław Geremek
Henryk Kroll
Party
AWS
UW
MN
Leader since
15 January 1999
18 December 2000
1991
Leader's seat
29 – Gliwice (defeated )
19 – Warsaw I (defeated )
21 – Opole
Last election
201 seats, 33.8%
60 seats, 13.4%
2 seats, 0.4%
Seats won
0
0
2
Seat change
201
60
Popular vote
729,207
404,074
47,230
Percentage
5.6%
3.1%
0.4%
Swing
28.2%
10.3%
Powiats with party majority
■ – Democratic Left Alliance ■ – Polish People's Party
■ – Civic Platform ■ – Solidarity Electoral Action
■ – League of Polish Families ■ – German Minority
The 2001 Polish parliamentary election was held on 23 September 2001 to elect deputies to both houses of the National Assembly .[ 1] The election concluded with an overwhelming victory for the centre-left Democratic Left Alliance – Labor Union , the electoral coalition between both the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) and the Labour Union (UP), which captured 41% of the vote in the crucial lower house Sejm . The 2001 election is recognized as marking the emergence of both Civic Platform (PO) and Law and Justice (PiS) as players in Polish politics , while also witnessing the outright collapse of the Solidarity Electoral Action (AWS) and its former coalition partner, the Freedom Union (UW).
Voter turnout for the 2001 election was 46.29%[ 2] For this election only, list seats were allocated using the Sainte-Laguë method instead of the d'Hondt method .
Background
At the end of its four-year term, the ruling AWS government of Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek faced bleak prospects for the September parliamentary election. In the previous presidential election in 2000, the SLD's Aleksander Kwaśniewski achieved a landslide reelection over AWS candidate Marian Krzaklewski . Economically, Polish consumer confidence dropped to its lowest since the mid-1990s, with unemployment rising above 16%.[ 3] Politically, the Buzek government faced a series of crises undermining its credibility. In May 2000, the AWS' junior coalition partner, the Freedom Union , walked out of the government regarding the party's objections to the slow pace of reform, forcing Buzek to set up a relatively weak minority government in its place.[ 4] Later in July 2001, Buzek's government was again hit by three further ministerial resignations over corruption charges, while the government's reform program for pensions and health care grounded to a halt in the Sejm .[ 3]
In light of Buzek's besieged administration, opposition parties took advantage of AWS' organisational and economic weaknesses. From the centre left , a political coalition between the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) and the Labour Union (UP), headed by Leszek Miller , appeared as the ruling government's most formidable, united and vocal opposition. On the centre right , Solidarity's traditional spectrum of support increasingly became divided by the emergence of new political groups. Civic Platform (PO), composed of former AWS and UW members, repeated calls for a low flat-rate income tax and a culling of bureaucracy to attract investment.[ 3] Further down the right , the Law and Justice party (PiS), composed of AWS' more conservative and anti-communist adherents, campaigned on promises of tough anti-corruption and organised crime legislation.[ 3]
The campaign leading up to the September election was marred by voter antipathy due to the summer holidays, as well as being marginalized by the September 11 attacks in the United States .[ 5]
Opinion polls
Sejm
In the run up to the election, various organisations carried out opinion polling to gauge voting intention. The poll results are listed in the table below.
Date
Polling firm
AWS
SLD
UP
UW
PSL
ROP
SRP
PO
PiS
LPR
Others/
undecided
Lead
23 September 2001
Election results
5,6%
41%
3,1%
9%
w. LPR
10,2%
12,7%
9,5%
7,9%
1%
28,3% over PO
19-20 September
TNS OBOP
5%
46%
3%
11%
-
9%
14%
7%
5%
-
32% over PO
18 September
TNS OBOP
4%
43%
4%
12%
-
9%
15%
7%
5%
1%
28% over PO
17-18 September
OBW
6%
45%
3%
10%
-
7%
14%
9%
5%
1%
31% over PO
September
PBS
8%
47%
5%
9%
-
5%
14%
7%
4%
1%
33% over PO
14-16 September
Pentor
4%
51%
3%
7%
-
8%
13%
9%
4%
1%
38% over PO
13-16 September
CBOS
5%
50%
3%
9%
-
6%
13%
9%
5%
0%
37% over PO
13-14 September
TNS OBOP
7%
48%
2%
11%
-
5%
14%
8%
5%
0%
34% over PO
10-12 September
OBW
8%
47%
3%
11%
-
5%
13%
10%
3%
0%
34% over PO
8-11 September
TNS OBOP
5%
52%
3%
10%
-
5%
14%
7%
3%
1%
38% over PO
6-7 September
TNS OBOP
7%
50%
4%
12%
-
4%
12%
8%
3%
0%
38% over PO/PSL
4 September
TNS OBOP
8%
52%
4%
9%
-
2%
14%
8%
3%
0%
38% over PO
2-4 September
OBW
7%
46%
4%
13%
-
4%
13%
9%
3%
5%
33% over PO/PSL
1-2 September
PBS
9%
50%
4%
11%
w. LPR
4%
12%
7%
2%
1%
38% over PO
30 August
TNS OBOP
8%
50%
4%
12%
-
2%
12%
8%
3%
1%
38% over PO/PSL
19-22 August
TNS OBOP
8%
47%
4%
12%
-
2%
13%
8%
3%
3%
34% over PO
18-21 August
OBW
6%
48%
4%
11%
-
4%
12%
9%
3%
3%
36% over PO
15-16 August
TNS OBOP
8%
47%
4%
12%
-
3%
13%
6%
2%
5%
34% over PO
11-13 August
Pentor
7%
52%
4%
13%
-
3%
12%
6%
3%
3%
39% over PSL
10 August
Demoskop
7%
56%
6%
9%
-
3%
11%
6%
1%
1%
45% over PO
8 August
PBBOUS
7,3%
39,6%
4,1%
7,3%
-
-
13,7%
10,2%
-
11,9%
25,9% over PO
3-6 August
PBS
12%
49%
3%
9%
w. LPR
3%
12%
6%
2%
4%
37% over PO/AWS
3-6 August
CBOS
5%
50%
4%
10%
-
1%
14%
10%
1%
3%
36% over PO
2-5 August
TNS OBOP
7%
47%
4%
14%
-
2%
12%
7%
1%
7%
33% over PSL
August
TNS OBOP
7%
46%
4%
12%
1%
1%
13%
7%
1%
9%
33% over PO
26-29 July
TNS OBOP
7%
46%
4%
12%
1%
1%
13%
7%
1%
8%
33% over PO
26-28 July
OBW
9%
46%
4%
11%
-
3%
15%
9%
2%
1%
31% over PO
20-23 July
PBS
12%
52%
4%
8%
-
2%
12%
5%
2%
3%
40% over AWS/PO
19-22 July
TNS OBOP
10%
47%
4%
13%
-
2%
14%
6%
1%
3%
33% over PO
7-9 July
TNS OBOP
6%
44%
5%
15%
-
2%
16%
7%
1%
3%
28% over PO
6-9 July
CBOS
6%
52%
4%
13%
-
2%
13%
6%
2%
2%
39% over PO/PSL
6-9 July
Demoskop
7%
51%
6%
10%
-
-
16%
7%
-
3%
35% over PO
7-9 July
OBW
7%
43%
3%
10%
-
-
17%
10%
-
10%
26% over PO
6-9 July
PBS
11%
53%
5%
7%
w. AWS
1%
12%
5%
2%
4%
41% over PO
6-8 July
Pentor
10%
50%
4%
12%
-
-
14%
5%
-
5%
36% over PO
25 June
Demoskop
9%
53%
5%
7%
-
-
14%
6%
-
6%
39% over PO
23-25 June
TNS OBOP
5%
45%
3%
11%
-
4%
18%
8%
-
6%
27% over PO
22-24 June
Pentor
7%
47%
4%
14%
-
-
19%
5%
-
8%
28% over PO
15-18 June
OBW
8%
42%
4%
10%
-
3%
16%
11%
-
3%
26% over PO
10-11 June
PBS
13%
50%
4%
10%
w. AWS
-
15%
5%
-
3%
35% over PO
9-11 June
TNS OBOP
6%
50%
4%
12%
-
2%
13%
10%
-
3%
37% over PO
1-4 June
CBOS
10%
48%
2%
7%
-
2%
13%
5%
0%
11%
35% over PO
May
OBW
6%
39%
4%
11%
-
-
18%
11%
-
11%
21% over PO
26-28 May
TNS OBOP
8%
41%
4%
13%
-
2%
18%
10%
-
4%
23% over PO
25 May
Demoskop
5%
44%
3%
9%
1%
-
13%
-
-
4%
31% over PO
20 May
OBW
10%
41%
5%
11%
-
-
18%
-
-
15%
23% over PO
12-14 May
TNS OBOP
8%
38%
4%
14%
4%
4%
19%
-
-
8%
19% over PO
11-14 May
CBOS
7%
46%
3%
9%
3%
2%
13%
5%
-
18%
33% over PO
12-13 May
PBS
11%
56%
5%
9%
-
-
15%
-
-
4%
41% over PO
10-12 May
Pentor
9%
48%
3%
4%
12%
-
-
17%
-
-
7%
31% over PO
24 April
Demoskop
9%
43%
5%
8%
2%
1%
12%
-
-
20%
31% over PO
21-23 April
TNS OBOP
13%
43%
5%
13%
3%
3%
16%
-
-
4%
27% over PO
7-9 April
TNS OBOP
10%
46%
5%
12%
5%
2%
14%
-
-
6%
32% over PO
6-9 April
CBOS
9%
41%
5%
12%
1%
1%
11%
-
-
20%
29% over PSL
7-8 April
PBS
13%
49%
6%
8%
-
-
17%
-
-
7%
32% over PO
24-26 March
TNS OBOP
10%
42%
4%
12%
3%
3%
19%
-
-
6%
23% over PO
24-25 March
PBS
17%
43%
5%
11%
-
-
17%
-
-
7%
26% over PO/AWS
20-23 March
OBW
13%
43%
5%
12%
-
-
17%
-
-
10%
23% over PO
10-12 March
TNS OBOP
9%
43%
4%
11%
3%
2%
18%
-
-
10%
25% over PO
9-12 March
Demoskop
9%
36%
3%
5%
6%
1%
2%
15%
-
-
23%
33% over PO
10-11 March
PBS
12%
54%
5%
9%
-
-
12%
-
-
8%
42% over PO/AWS
8-10 March
Pentor
10%
49%
3%
5%
9%
2%
1%
16%
-
-
5%
33% over PO
2-5 March
CBOS
9%
44%
6%
7%
2%
1%
12%
-
-
20%
32% over PO
10-12 February
TNS OBOP
10%
40%
4%
12%
3%
3%
21%
-
-
8%
19% over PO
9-10 February
Pentor
12%
45%
6%
8%
10%
-
-
14%
-
-
5%
31% over PO
2-6 February
CBOS
9%
38%
4%
6%
11%
1%
0%
16%
-
-
16%
22% over PO
27-29 January
TNS OBOP
13%
39%
3%
5%
9%
3%
3%
17%
-
-
7%
22% over PO
27-28 January
PBS
14%
46%
5%
5%
10%
-
-
17%
-
-
3%
29% over PO
January
Demoskop
8%
39%
-
7%
10%
-
-
-
-
-
36%
29% over PSL
13-15 January
TNS OBOP
12%
45%
3%
7%
14%
5%
2%
-
-
-
12%
31% over PSL
12-14 January
Pentor
13%
50%
7%
10%
12%
-
-
-
-
-
8%
37% over AWS
5-8 January
CBOS
13%
41%
4%
8%
11%
2%
1%
-
-
-
20%
28% over AWS
2001
2-4 December
Pentor
16%
48%
4%
11%
10%
-
-
-
-
-
9%
32% over AWS
1-4 December
CBOS
13%
41%
4%
9%
10%
2%
1%
-
-
-
21%
28% over AWS
25-26 November
PBS
17%
49%
4%
11%
8%
2%
-
-
-
-
9%
32% over AWS
18-20 November
TNS OBOP
16%
44%
2%
11%
12%
4%
3%
-
-
-
8%
28% over AWS
10-13 November
CBOS
14%
41%
5%
7%
10%
1%
1%
-
-
-
21%
27% over AWS
10-12 November
Pentor
14%
52%
5%
10%
9%
-
-
-
-
-
10%
38% over AWS
11-12 November
PBS
17%
51%
5%
10%
8%
-
-
-
-
-
9%
34% over AWS
28-30 October
TNS OBOP
14%
38%
3%
9%
13%
8%
3%
-
-
-
12%
24% over AWS
13-16 October
CBOS
15%
38%
4%
9%
8%
1%
1%
-
-
-
25%
23% over AWS
14-15 October
PBS
20%
46%
4%
10%
8%
3%
-
-
-
-
9%
26% over AWS
7-9 October
Pentor
20%
46%
6%
9%
11%
-
-
-
-
-
8%
26% over AWS
9-11 September
Pentor
17%
50%
3%
7%
13%
-
-
-
-
-
10%
33% over AWS
9-10 September
PBS
20%
48%
-
9%
7%
-
-
-
-
-
16%
28% over AWS
1-4 September
CBOS
19%
40%
3%
8%
7%
2%
1%
-
-
-
21%
21% over AWS
19-21 August
TNS OBOP
15%
40%
3%
13%
11%
6%
3%
-
-
-
9%
25% over AWS
12-14 August
Pentor
15%
49%
5%
7%
14%
-
-
-
-
-
10%
34% over AWS
5-7 August
TNS OBOP
14%
43%
3%
9%
12%
6%
3%
-
-
-
10%
29% over AWS
4-7 August
CBOS
16%
38%
4%
6%
9%
2%
1%
-
-
-
23%
22% over AWS
5-6 August
PBS
23%
44%
6%
7%
9%
3%
-
-
-
-
8%
21% over AWS
22-24 July
TNS OBOP
17%
45%
2%
9%
10%
5%
4%
-
-
-
8%
28% over AWS
8-10 July
TNS OBOP
17%
41%
3%
9%
11%
4%
1%
-
-
-
14%
24% over AWS
8-9 July
Pentor
21%
47%
5%
10%
8%
-
-
-
-
-
8%
26% over AWS
8-9 July
PBS
21%
44%
6%
9%
10%
4%
-
-
-
-
6%
23% over AWS
29 June-4 July
CBOS
13%
38%
5%
9%
7%
2%
1%
-
-
-
24%
25% over AWS
15-20 June
CBOS
15%
34%
5%
10%
8%
1%
1%
-
-
-
26%
19% over AWS
10-12 June
TNS OBOP
17%
42%
4%
8%
9%
7%
3%
-
-
-
10%
25% over AWS
10-11 June
PBS
19%
42%
7%
13%
9%
3%
-
-
-
-
7%
23% over AWS
1-6 June
CBOS
15%
37%
4%
8%
6%
2%
2%
-
-
-
27%
22% over AWS
3-4 June
Pentor
13%
45%
6%
11%
13%
-
-
-
-
-
12%
32% over AWS
27-29 May
TNS OBOP
16%
43%
3%
13%
7%
4%
3%
-
-
-
11%
27% over AWS
20-22 May
TNS OBOP
15%
40%
3%
14%
10%
4%
4%
-
-
-
10%
25% over AWS
11-16 May
CBOS
14%
41%
5%
9%
7%
1%
2%
-
-
-
22%
27% over AWS
14-15 May
Pentor
16%
48%
4%
11%
10%
-
-
-
-
-
11%
32% over AWS
13-15 May
TNS OBOP
14%
40%
6%
9%
10%
5%
5%
-
-
-
11%
26% over AWS
13-14 May
PBS
16%
44%
6%
11%
12%
-
-
-
-
-
11%
28% over AWS
15-17 April
TNS OBOP
17%
38%
4%
11%
10%
7%
6%
-
-
-
7%
21% over AWS
8-10 April
Pentor
16%
46%
6%
13%
9%
-
-
-
-
-
10%
30% over AWS
8-10 April
TNS OBOP
15%
42%
6%
12%
9%
6%
5%
-
-
-
8%
27% over AWS
8-9 April
PBS
18%
41%
6%
14%
10%
3%
-
-
-
-
8%
23% over AWS
30 March-4 April
CBOS
15%
38%
6%
7%
7%
3%
1%
-
-
-
24%
23% over AWS
1-3 April
TNS OBOP
18%
40%
3%
11%
10%
5%
4%
-
-
-
9%
22% over AWS
19-21 March
TNS OBOP
17%
42%
2%
12%
7%
3%
5%
-
-
-
12%
25% over AWS
11-13 March
Pentor
17%
47%
5%
12%
8%
-
-
-
-
-
11%
30% over AWS
11-12 March
PBS
18%
46%
6%
13%
8%
2%
-
-
-
-
7%
28% over AWS
4-6 March
TNS OBOP
18%
37%
4%
11%
11%
5%
4%
-
-
-
10%
19% over AWS
1-8 March
CBOS
16%
37%
5%
7%
8%
2%
1%
-
-
-
24%
21% over AWS
12-14 February
Pentor
17%
45%
5%
12%
12%
-
-
-
-
-
11%
28% over AWS
12-13 February
PBS
19%
44%
6%
12%
9%
3%
-
-
-
-
7%
25% over AWS
3-8 February
CBOS
16%
36%
5%
10%
10%
1%
1%
-
-
-
21%
20% over AWS
29-31 January
TNS OBOP
20%
42%
3%
9%
8%
4%
4%
-
-
-
10%
22% over AWS
13-18 January
CBOS
16%
35%
3%
11%
10%
2%
1%
-
-
-
23%
19% over AWS
15-17 January
Pentor
16%
42%
6%
14%
9%
-
-
-
-
-
13%
26% over AWS
15-17 January
TNS OBOP
19%
42%
4%
10%
8%
4%
4%
-
-
-
9%
23% over AWS
15-16 January
PBS
21%
40%
6%
12%
10%
2%
-
-
-
-
9%
19% over AWS
2000
11-13 December
TNS OBOP
16%
43%
2%
12%
10%
5%
4%
-
-
-
8%
27% over AWS
1-7 December
CBOS
20%
38%
4%
8%
7%
2%
1%
-
-
-
21%
18% over AWS
4-5 December
PBS
20%
42%
6%
12%
9%
2%
-
-
-
-
9%
22% over AWS
27-29 November
TNS OBOP
15%
39%
4%
11%
9%
5%
4%
-
-
-
13%
24% over AWS
13-15 November
TNS OBOP
23%
33%
4%
11%
11%
3%
2%
-
-
-
13%
10% over AWS
10-15 November
CBOS
20%
31%
4%
10%
9%
3%
1%
-
-
-
23%
11% over AWS
6-7 November
PBS
21%
43%
8%
10%
8%
2%
-
-
-
-
8%
22% over AWS
5-11 October
CBOS
17%
35%
5%
10%
7%
3%
1%
-
-
-
21%
18% over AWS
9-10 October
PBS
21%
41%
7%
11%
9%
2%
-
-
-
-
9%
20% over AWS
2-4 October
TNS OBOP
23%
32%
4%
10%
10%
3%
7%
-
-
-
11%
9% over AWS
18-20 September
TNS OBOP
20%
35%
5%
13%
7%
6%
4%
-
-
-
10%
15% over AWS
8-14 September
CBOS
17%
33%
6%
10%
8%
2%
2%
-
-
-
22%
16% over AWS
11-12 September
PBS
19%
40%
7%
12%
9%
4,2%
-
-
-
-
8,8%
21% over AWS
4-6 September
TNS OBOP
20%
36%
4%
13%
7%
4%
2%
-
-
-
14%
16% over AWS
14-15 August
PBS
23%
36%
5%
11%
11%
4%
-
-
-
-
10%
13% over AWS
4-10 August
CBOS
16%
34%
5%
9%
11%
2%
1%
-
-
-
23%
18% over AWS
7-13 July
CBOS
20%
33%
4%
7%
8%
3%
1%
-
-
-
24%
13% over AWS
10-11 July
PBS
23%
37%
6%
12%
9%
4%
0%
-
-
-
9%
14% over AWS
16-22 June
CBOS
24%
31%
6%
9%
9%
3%
2%
-
-
-
18%
7% over AWS
June
Demoskop
19%
34%
6%
15%
12%
4%
-
-
-
-
10%
15% over AWS
19-21 June
TNS OBOP
25%
34%
4%
11%
8%
4%
3%
-
-
-
11%
9% over AWS
12-13 June
PBS
25%
37%
6%
13%
9%
-
-
-
-
-
10%
12% over AWS
29-31 May
TNS OBOP
22%
34%
3%
12%
8%
3%
3%
-
-
-
15%
12% over AWS
6-12 May
CBOS
22%
30%
4%
10%
8%
3%
2%
-
-
-
22%
8% over AWS
8-9 May
PBS
27%
38%
6%
11%
8%
3%
0%
-
-
-
7%
11% over AWS
17-19 April
TNS OBOP
25%
31%
3%
13%
8%
4%
3%
-
-
-
13%
6% over AWS
8-13 April
CBOS
23%
28%
3%
7%
11%
3%
2%
-
-
-
22%
5% over AWS
10-11 April
PBS
29%
36%
5%
10%
7%
3%
2%
-
-
-
8%
7% over AWS
30-31 March
TNS OBOP
24%
30%
6%
13%
6%
5%
4%
-
-
-
12%
6% over AWS
13-14 March
PBS
26%
35%
6%
12%
7%
3%
3%
-
-
-
8%
9% over AWS
4-9 March
CBOS
22%
28%
5%
9%
9%
4%
2%
-
-
-
22%
6% over AWS
6-8 March
TNS OBOP
20%
33%
3%
14%
11%
5%
4%
-
-
-
10%
13% over AWS
20-22 February
TNS OBOP
26%
29%
5%
10%
12%
3%
4%
-
-
-
11%
3% over AWS
13-14 February
PBS
30%
29%
6%
12%
9%
-
-
-
-
-
14%
1% over SLD
4-9 February
CBOS
22%
29%
7%
15%
11%
3%
-
-
-
-
14%
7% over AWS
6-8 February
TNS OBOP
25%
27%
4%
14%
9%
6%
-
-
-
-
9%
2% over AWS
30-31 January
PBS
29%
33%
5%
13%
8%
2%
-
-
-
-
10%
4% over AWS
23-26 January
TNS OBOP
30%
29%
3%
15%
12%
3%
-
-
-
-
8%
1% over SLD
16-17 January
PBS
30%
32%
4%
13%
9%
3%
-
-
-
-
9%
2% over AWS
6-12 January
CBOS
28%
27%
7%
11%
9%
2%
-
-
-
-
17%
1% over SLD
8-11 January
TNS OBOP
29%
28%
5%
14%
11%
3%
-
-
-
-
10%
1% over SLD
1999
12-13 December
PBS
29%
31%
6%
14%
8%
2%
-
-
-
-
10%
2% over AWS
5-8 December
TNS OBOP
31%
28%
5%
13%
10%
4%
-
-
-
-
9%
3% over SLD
3-8 December
CBOS
29%
28%
6%
12%
9%
3%
-
-
-
-
12%
1% over SLD
21-22 November
PBS
33%
32%
4%
13%
8%
2%
-
-
-
-
8%
1% over SLD
7-10 November
TNS OBOP
34%
30%
3%
12%
9%
3%
-
-
-
-
9%
4% over SLD
5-9 November
CBOS
28%
30%
3%
12%
8%
3%
-
-
-
-
16%
2% over AWS
15-20 October
CBOS
38%
29%
4%
7%
8%
2%
-
-
-
-
11%
9% over SLD
17-18 October
PBS
33%
32%
5%
12%
6%
2%
-
-
-
-
10%
1% over SLD
3-5 October
TNS OBOP
31%
28%
4%
11%
9%
4%
-
-
-
-
13%
3% over SLD
17-22 September
CBOS
23%
28%
8%
12%
8%
4%
-
-
-
-
16%
5% over AWS
19-20 September
PBS
29%
29%
7%
12%
9%
-
-
-
-
-
14%
Tied
5-8 September
TNS OBOP
27%
31%
5%
14%
7%
5%
-
-
-
-
11%
4% over AWS
14-19 August
CBOS
25%
22%
6%
13%
10%
4%
-
-
-
-
19%
3% over SLD
8-17 August
TNS OBOP
28%
28%
5%
14%
7%
5%
-
-
-
-
13%
Tied
15-16 August
PBS
29,1%
28,3%
7,1%
13,9%
5,7%
3,8%
-
-
-
-
12,5%
0,8% over SLD
16-21 July
CBOS
20%
31%
9%
13%
6%
3%
-
-
-
-
18%
11% over AWS
18-19 July
PBS
30%
27%
7%
15%
8%
3%
-
-
-
-
10%
3% over SLD
17-23 June
CBOS
25%
24%
8%
15%
7%
3%
-
-
-
-
18%
1% over SLD
20-21 June
PBS
33%
29%
6%
14%
5%
5%
-
-
-
-
8%
4% over SLD
6-9 June
TNS OBOP
30%
24%
7%
13%
8%
6%
-
-
-
-
12%
6% over SLD
20-28 May
CBOS
27%
27%
8%
12%
6%
4%
-
-
-
-
16%
Tied
16-17 May
PBS
31%
31%
6%
14%
3%
-
-
-
-
-
9%
Tied
8-11 May
TNS OBOP
30%
24%
6%
13%
7%
6%
-
-
-
-
14%
6% over SLD
16-21 April
CBOS
30%
24%
8%
14%
8%
3%
-
-
-
-
14%
6% over SLD
18-19 April
PBS
30%
30%
9%
14%
6%
-
-
-
-
-
11%
Tied
4-7 April
TNS OBOP
27%
28%
8%
12%
9%
5%
-
-
-
-
11%
1% over AWS
12-17 March
CBOS
29%
21%
6%
14%
10%
5%
-
-
-
-
15%
8% over SLD
14-15 March
PBS
32%
26%
8%
16%
8%
4%
-
-
-
-
6%
6% over SLD
7-10 March
TNS OBOP
28%
28%
5%
15%
7%
4%
-
-
-
-
13%
Tied
19-24 February
CBOS
32%
25%
6%
15%
8%
5%
-
-
-
-
9%
7% over SLD
14-15 February
PBS
29%
29%
8%
15%
6%
4%
-
-
-
-
4%
Tied
7-10 February
TNS OBOP
33%
26%
7%
11%
9%
4%
-
-
-
-
10%
7% over SLD
February
Demoskop
28%
25%
8%
13%
6%
5%
-
-
-
-
15%
3% over SLD
16-20 January
CBOS
28%
27%
8%
15%
7%
3%
-
-
-
-
11%
1% over SLD
10-13 January
TNS OBOP
34%
25%
7%
14%
6%
4%
-
-
-
-
10%
9% over SLD
10-11 January
PBS
32%
32%
7%
14%
6%
5%
-
-
-
-
4%
Tied
1998
6-7 December
PBS
32%
28%
7%
16%
5%
4%
-
-
-
-
8%
4% over SLD
December
TNS OBOP
35%
24%
8%
13%
6%
4%
-
-
-
-
10%
11% over SLD
15-16 November
PBS
36%
25%
6%
16%
5%
4%
-
-
-
-
8%
11% over SLD
November
TNS OBOP
40%
20%
4%
15%
7%
4%
-
-
-
-
10%
20% over SLD
21 September 1997
Election results
33,8%
27,1%
4,7%
13,4%
7,3%
5,6%
0,1%
-
-
-
8%
6,7% over SLD
Seat projections
Date
Polling firm
AWS
SLD
UP
UW
PSL
ROP
SRP
PO
PiS
LPR
MN
Others
23 September 2001
Election results
0
216
0
42
2[ a]
53
65
44
36[ a]
2
0
19-20 September
TNS OBOP
0
239
0
60
0
43
69
36
11
2
0
18 September
TNS OBOP
0
220
0
64
0
44
79
40
11
2
0
13-14 September
TNS OBOP
0
259
0
60
0
10
78
42
9
2
0
8-11 September
TNS OBOP
0
279
0
49
0
19
70
41
0
2
0
4 September
TNS OBOP
39
271
0
44
0
0
65
39
0
2
0
30 August
TNS OBOP
43
250
0
63
0
0
61
41
0
2
0
19-22 August
TNS OBOP
43
245
0
60
0
0
69
41
0
2
0
15-16 August
TNS OBOP
43
249
0
61
0
0
78
27
0
2
0
2-5 August
TNS OBOP
0
270
0
85
0
0
64
41
0
0
0
26-29 July
TNS OBOP
0
275
0
64
0
0
80
41
0
0
0
19-22 July
TNS OBOP
49
241
0
69
0
0
79
22
0
0
0
7-9 July
TNS OBOP
0
229
20
84
0
0
90
37
0
0
0
23-25 June
TNS OBOP
0
250
0
64
0
0
103
43
0
0
0
9-11 June
TNS OBOP
0
278
0
64
0
0
69
49
0
0
0
26-28 May
TNS OBOP
37
215
0
64
w. AWS
0
95
49
0
0
0
20 May
OBW
56
234
13
57
0
0
96
0
0
2
0
12-14 May
TNS OBOP
43
224
0
85
0
0
108
0
0
0
0
21-23 April
TNS OBOP
67
231
12
66
0
0
84
0
0
0
0
24-26 March
TNS OBOP
53
234
0
69
0
0
104
0
0
0
0
10-12 March
TNS OBOP
44
239
0
63
0
0
102
0
0
0
12
10-12 February
TNS OBOP
31
252
0
59
0
0
118
0
0
0
0
21 September 1997
Election results
201
164
0
60
27
6
0
0
0
0
2
0
Senate
Date
Polling firm
SLD
UP
Senate 2001
PSL
SRP
LPR
Others
Lead
23 September 2001
Election results
38,7%
24,3%
13,5%
4,3%
4,1%
15,1%
14,4% over Senate 2001
19-20 September
TNS OBOP
43%
25%
12%
10%
7%
3%
18% over Senate 2001
18 September
TNS OBOP
43%
25%
12%
8%
7%
5%
18% over Senate 2001
13-14 September
TNS OBOP
46%
25%
12%
5%
7%
5%
21% over Senate 2001
8-11 September
TNS OBOP
49%
24%
11%
5%
5%
6%
25% over Senate 2001
6-7 September
TNS OBOP
46%
24%
15%
3%
6%
6%
22% over Senate 2001
4 September
TNS OBOP
49%
22%
15%
2%
5%
7%
27% over Senate 2001
Results
The SLD triumphed in the final tally, receiving 41% percent of the vote, though shy of an outright parliamentary majority in the Sejm .[ 6] The party increased its representation by 52 seats, earning it 216 representatives, and returned to the Chancellery after a four-year period of sitting in opposition . Partly due to the fractious nature of its opponents, the SLD secured pluralities in all of Poland's voivodeships as well as in an overwhelming majority of the nation's powiats . On the centre right , Civic Platform entered parliament for the first time, coming in second place with nearly 13% of the vote.[ 6] The party stood relatively strong in Pomeranian Voivodeship .
Surprisingly, ultra-nationalist parties performed well in the election's final results. The left-wing nationalist Self-Defence of the Republic of Poland (SRP) increased its vote 100-fold from the 1997 election , securing 53 seats and 10% of the vote, coming in third place. Headed by populist Andrzej Lepper , the party campaigned against Warsaw excess and Poland's ongoing negotiations to enter the European Union .[ 7] On the far right , the League of Polish Families also entered the Sejm for the first time, gaining 38 seats and 8% of the vote, who campaigned on a staunchly Catholic and anti-EU platform.[ 7]
Law and Justice (PiS), headed by Lech Kaczyński , a former Minister of Justice in the Buzek government, scored 44 seats and 9.5% of the vote, also securing his party's entrance into the Sejm for the first time. The Polish People's Party (PSL) won 42 seats, slightly reversing the party's devastating loses from 1997 . The PSL would later enter into coalition with the SLD to achieve a parliamentary majority.
The election proved catastrophic for Solidarity Electoral Action and its former Freedom Union coalition partner. Both parties failed to secure the 8% threshold to enter the Sejm, with AWS and UW falling to 5.6% and 3.1%, respectively.[ 6] In the election's aftermath, Prime Minister Buzek tendered his resignation. Both the AWS and UW faced political extinction following the election's aftermath. The AWS dissolved itself by the end of 2001; the UW lingered until its own dissolution in 2005.
Sejm
Party
Votes
%
Seats
+/–
Democratic Left Alliance – Labor Union
5,342,519
41.0
216
+52
Civic Platform
1,651,099
12.7
65
New
Self-Defence of the Republic of Poland
1,327,624
10.2
53
+53
Law and Justice
1,236,787
9.5
44
New
Polish People's Party
1,168,659
9.0
42
+15
League of Polish Families
1,025,148
7.9
38
New
Solidarity Electoral Action
729,207
5.6
0
–201
Freedom Union
404,074
3.1
0
–60
Social Alternative Movement
54,266
0.4
0
New
German Minority
47,230
0.4
2
0
Polish Socialist Party
13,459
0.1
0
New
German Minority Upper Silesia
8,024
0.1
0
0
Polish Economic Union
7,189
0.1
0
New
Polska Wspólnota Narodowa
2,644
0.0
0
New
Invalid/blank votes
541,483
–
–
–
Total
13,559,412
100
460
0
Registered voters/turnout
29,364,455
46.3
–
–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver
Senate
Party
Votes
%
Seats
+/–
Democratic Left Alliance – Labor Union
10,476,677
38.7
75
+47
Senate 2001
6,582,224
24.3
15
–
Polish People's Party
3,631,234
13.5
4
+1
Self-Defence of the Republic of Poland
1,158,887
4.3
2
–
League of Polish Families
1,097,058
4.1
2
New
Real Politics Union
469,815
1.7
0
0
Local lists
3,624,697
13.4
2
–3
Invalid/blank votes
479,179
–
–
–
Total
13,590,426
100
100
0
Registered voters/turnout
29,364,455
46.3
–
–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver
Distribution of seats in the Sejm
Distribution of seats in the Senate
References
Obwieszczenie Państwowej Komisji Wyborczej z dn. 26 IX 1997 r. , Monitor Polski . Nr 109, poz. 1186
Obwieszczenie PKW z dn. 26 IX 2001 r. , Dz.U. Nr 109, poz. 1187