Poll - one-in-four Poles would prefer communist state

President Komorowski takes part in the opening of the "Shared Victory" exhibition on Sunday in Warsaw, commemorating the 24th annivsary of the democraric elections of 4 June 1989.

In the survey by Poland's Public Opinion Research Centre (CBOS), respondents were asked whether they thought it had been worth changing from a communist system to a democratic one in 1989.

Some 25 percent were of the opinion that Poland should not have made the changes, although 60 percent backed the revolution (the remainder said they did not have an opinion on the matter).

In a similar survey just three years ago, 83 percent had said they supported the changes, and just 9 percent claimed to be against them.

Meanwhile, in a separate question this year, 59 percent of respondents said they felt that “since 1989, Poland and the Poles have not taken advantage of the opportunities that were provided by the political changes.”

Some 27 percent of those surveyed claimed that Poland had indeed “taken advantage of the changes as far as was possible.”

Statistics show that those most happy with the changes are Poles born between 1972 and 1977 (currently 36-41 years-old).

Commemorations are taking place in Poland today marking the 24th anniversary of the 4 June 1989 elections. (nh)

Source: Wprost/Gazeta Wyborcza