Suchocka, Hanna (1946–)

views updated

Suchocka, Hanna (1946–)

Polish politician. Pronunciation: HAHN-nah sue-HUT-ska. Born April 3, 1946, in Pleszew, Poland; received a law and doctoral degree from Poznan University; also studied at Institute of Public Law in Heidelberg, Germany; never married; no children.

The 1st woman to lead Poland since Queen Jadwiga in the 14th century, served as the 5th post-Communist prime minister of Poland (July 10, 1992–Oct 26, 1993); elected to the Sejm (lower house of Parliament) on the Democratic Party ticket (1980); joined the Solidarity labor movement and soon became its legal adviser; after voting against the government's decision to outlaw Solidarity (1984), left the party; following the collapse of Communist rule in Poland (1989), returned to the Sejm, this time as a member of the Civic Committee; was reelected (1991) as a member of the Democratic Union, a center-left party founded by Suchocka and a group of Solidarity leaders; nominated by Lech Walesa, became prime minister (1992); succeeded in holding the diversified political parties together for 15 months, longer than any of her predecessors had been able to do; continued to serve as a member of Parliament.

See also Women in World History.