Cold War Files: All Units: Events: First non-communist government in Eastern Europe since 1948 elected in Poland

The first non-communist government in Eastern Europe since 1948 was elected in Poland. The Solidarity union led by Lech Welesa was legalized and allowed to participate in elections. A Solidarity victory in the elections in April of 1989 led the way for a succession of peaceful revolutions in Central and Eastern Europe, and led to Lech Welesa's election as president, and a Solidarity led coalition government in August of 1989.