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The Unia Wolnosci (Freedom Union, UW) is a liberal party in Poland, which was founded on March 20, 1994 out of the merger of the Democratic Union ( Unia Demokratyczna, UD) and the Congress of Liberal Democrats ( Kongres Liberalno-Demokratyczny, KLD). Both of these parties had roots in the Solidarity movement. It represented European liberal tradition, i.e. it advocated free market economy and individual liberty, rejected all extremism and fanaticism and favoured European integration (in the form of European Union membership), rapid privatisation of the enterprises still owned by the Polish state and decentralisation of the government.
In 1991 general elections KLD got 7,5% of the votes and 37 seats in the Sejm (total 460 seats) and UD got 12,3% of the votes and 62 seats. In 1993 KLD got 4,0% of the votes and was left without seats, UD got 10,6% of the votes and 74 seats. In 1997 UW got 13,4% of the votes and 60 seats. In 2001 it got 3,1% of the votes and was left without seats.
In JanuaryJanuary is the first month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, and has 31 days. It is named for Janus, the Roman god of doors and gateways. The original Roman calendar consisted of 10 months (304 days). The Romans originally considered winter a monthle 2001 some members of the party's right wing decided to move to join the new Platforma Obywatelska (Citizens' Platform, PO), which got 12,7% of the votes 65 seats in the 2001 general elections whilst Unia Wolnosci failed to cross the 5% threshold required to gain entry to Parliament. Unia Wolnosci still exists today as a social-liberal party, but it lost some of its relevance in Polish politics. It consistently enjoys the support of approximately 3% of voters. Surprisingly, the party managed to cross the required 5% threshold in the 2004 European Parliament electionsElections to the European Parliament were held from June 10, 2004 to June 13, 2004 in the 25 member states of the European Union, using varying election days according to local custom. Votes were counted as the polls closed, but results were not announced, receiving 7% of votes and 4 of 54 seats reserved for Poland in the European ParliamentThe European Parliament is the parliamentary body of the European Union. Other organisations of European countries such as NATO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, and the Western European Union have parliamentary assemblies as well, but the European Parlia as part of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform PartyThe European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party is a liberal party, active in the European Union, uniting liberal and centrist parties around Europe. It originated as the European Liberal, Democrat and Reform party grouping with seats in the European Parli, of which it is a member.
none in this term, since 2001