The de facto leader of the Polish People's Republic was an informal term for the most powerful political figure in the PPR in 1947 and between 1948 and 1989. During this period the de facto leader was not always the titular head of government or head of state, but was often the General Secretary of the Polish United Workers' Party.Davies, Norman (2005). God's Playground, a History of Poland: 1795 to the Present. OUP Oxford.
List Portrait Name Term of office Party References Took office Left office Time in office1 Jakub Berman 1947 Polish Workers' Party None; Bolesław Bierut was the de jure leader of the Polish People's Republic as President ( – )2 Bolesław Bierut 22 December 1948Jerzy Eisler, Siedmiu wspaniałych. Poczet pierwszych sekretarzy KC PZPR [The Magnificent Seven: first secretaries of the PZPR], pp. 71–75. 12 March 1956 Polish United Workers' Party Vacancy of the office of the General Secretary of the Polish United Workers' Party ( – )3 Edward Ochab 20 March 1956 21 October 1956 Polish United Workers' Party4 Władysław Gomułka 21 October 1956 20 December 1970 Polish United Workers' Party (Endokomuna)5 Edward Gierek 20 December 1970 6 September 1980 Polish United Workers' Party6 Stanisław Kania 6 September 1980 18 October 1981 Polish United Workers' Party7 Wojciech Jaruzelski 18 October 1981 19 July 1989 Polish United Workers' Party
Timeline
See also List of leaders of the Soviet Union List of de facto rulers of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic List of de facto leaders of Hungary (1945–1989) List of de facto leaders of the People's Republic of Bulgaria List of de facto leaders of the Socialist Republic of Romania De facto leader of the GDR List of de facto leaders of the Mongolian People's Republic List of de facto leaders of the People's Republic of Kampuchea Paramount leader
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References