Polish Social Movement Forward, more usually rendered as Forward Poland (Naprzód Polsko, NP) is a National Conservative and Eurosceptic political party in Poland. It contended the 2009 European Parliament elections under a common banner with Polish People's Party "Piast" (PSL Piast). It was formed mainly by former members of the League of Polish Families (LPR), including its leader Janusz Dobrosz.^[1][2]

[edit] History

The party dated back to the Interim Executive Board made up of Sylwester Chruszcz (former president of the LPR), Bogusław Rogalski and Jan Szewczak. The inaugural^[3] Congress was held on 29 November 2008,^[4] the Interim Executive Board was replaced^[4] and its constituent declaration drawn up.^[4]

Forward Poland originally intended to be part of Libertas, the pan-European political organization founded by Declan Ganley.^[2] Ganley came to Poland on 7 January 2009 to discuss terms with representatives from Forward Poland, PSL Piast and Prawica Rzeczypospolitej (PR).^[5] Ganley insisted that the party used the word "Libertas" but the party politicians were concerned that the non-Polish name would deter voters.^[5] The name "Forward Poland - Libertas" (Naprzód Polsko – Libertas) was suggested as a compromise.^[5]

Another Congress took place on 25 January 2009 in Warsaw.^[3] The party signed a declaration of cooperation with PSL Piast.^[3] Letters of support were received from Krzysztof Wyszkowski,^[3] Declan Ganley^[3] and Czech President Václav Klaus.^[3] Talks were held with representatives from PR, Unia Polityki Realnej (UPR) and Libertas.^[3] Talks were also held with representatives from Radio Maryja,^[3] which NP politicians had connections with from their days in LPR.^[2]

Forward Poland rejected^[6] cooperation with Libertas because Forward Poland felt that Libertas did not reflect their desire for a more independent Poland.^[6] However, Forward Poland accepted political cooperation and joint programming with PSL Piast to contend the 2009 European Parliament elections under a common banner ("Naprzód Polsko-Piast"), and formally signed the agreement to that effect on March 1 2009.^[6] Present during the signing of the agreement were representatives from Konfederacja Polski Niepodległej (KPN), Zjednoczenie Chrześcijańsko-Narodowe (ZChN-u), Niezależny Samorządny Związek Zawodowy Rolników Indywidualnych "Solidarność", Związek Zawodowy Rolników "Ojczyzna" and Niezależny Samorządny Związek Zawodowy "Solidarność" 80.^[6]

[edit] Structure

[edit] Forward Poland in the European institutions

Forward Poland had the following MEPs in the 2004-2009 term of the European Parliament

• Sylwester Chruszcz
• Dariusz Grabowski
• Bogdan Pęk
• Bogusław Rogalski
• Andrzej Zapałowski

They were all elected as members of LPR and all sat in the Union for Europe of the Nations group.

[edit] External links

• Official site

[edit] References

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