Forward Poland - History

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 Congress was held on 29 November 2008, the Interim Executive Board was replaced and its constituent declaration drawn up.

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

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

Forward Poland rejected cooperation with Libertas because Forward Poland felt that Libertas did not reflect their desire for a more independent Poland. 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. 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.