BIO

Polish politician and historian. Graduate of the Faculty of History at the University of Warsaw.

From 2010 to 2015 President of the Republic of Poland.

Opposition activist during the communist era. He was a printer, journalist, distributor and publisher of underground press. During many years of opposition activity, he was repeatedly arrested and repressed, and was interned during martial law.

Deputy Minister of National Defense in 1990-1991 and 1992-1993, MP in 1991-2010, Minister of National Defense in 2000-2001. He served as Deputy Speaker of the Fifth Sejm from 2005-2007 and Speaker of the Sixth Sejm from 2007-2010.

A member of Civic Platform since 2001, he served as chairman of the Mazovia Region. In June 2006, he became vice-chairman of the party. He is currently not a member of any party.

Married to Anna Dembowska, they have five now-adult children.