The 1962 motion picture The Two Who Stole the Moon featured a young Jarosław Kaczyński alongside his identical twin, Lech. This early public appearance predated a career defined by decades of anti-communist activism, the establishment of the Law and Justice party, and long-term influence over the highest levels of Polish government administration.
Academic and Early Professional Background
Born in Warsaw in 1949, Kaczyński completed his secondary education at XLI Liceum im. Joachima Lelewela and 33 Liceum im. M. Kopernika. He pursued legal studies at the University of Warsaw, earning a doctorate from the Faculty of Law and Administration. His professional life began as a researcher at the Institute of Scientific Policy and Higher Education, followed by an assistant professorship at the University of Białystok. During the early 1980s, he also held a position at the Warsaw University Library.
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Kaczyński emerged as a persistent critic of the communist authorities during the late 1960s. He participated in student demonstrations in 1968 and later aligned with the Workers' Defence Committee, known as KOR. His work involved documenting human rights violations and supporting repressed individuals. By 1980, he became active in the Solidarity movement. His editorial involvement included contributions to the Tygodnik Solidarność magazine and the monthly publication Głos.
Legislative and Ministerial Roles
Entering formal government after the 1989 political transitions, Kaczyński served as a senator from 1989 to 1991 and headed the presidential chancellery under Lech Wałęsa. He held a seat in the Sejm from 1991 to 1993 and returned to parliamentary duties in 1997. His executive experience included a term as Prime Minister of Poland from 2006 to 2007. Later, he served as Deputy Prime Minister between 2020 and 2022, also briefly holding the portfolios for Justice, Culture and National Heritage, and Economy in 2007.
Party Leadership and Political Influence
In 1990, he founded the Centre Agreement party, which he led for eight years. In 2001, he co-founded the Law and Justice party with his brother. Following their electoral successes in 2005 and 2015, he maintained significant control over government policy and personnel. His influence persisted through his leadership of the party, a position he has held since 2003, and through his role as an architect of various legislative coalitions.
Fast facts
- Born: 1949, Warsaw
- Education: Doctorate, University of Warsaw
- Party: Law and Justice (co-founder)
- Prime Minister: 2006–2007
- Deputy Prime Minister: 2020–2022
- Awards: Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 2nd class (2022)
Questions readers ask
Did Jarosław Kaczyński serve as a minister?
Yes. He held the positions of Minister of Justice, Minister of Culture and National Heritage, and Minister of Economy in 2007.
When did he lead the Law and Justice party?
He became the leader of the Law and Justice party in 2003 and has served in that capacity since.
Achievements
- Prime Minister of Poland (2006–2007)
- Minister of Justice (2007–2007)
- Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland (2020–2022)
- member of the Sejm (from 2019)
- St. George's Order of Victory
- Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 2nd class — 2022
- Educated at Faculty of Law and Administration, University of Warsaw and 33 Liceum im. M. Kopernika, Warsaw
