Polish Premier Quits to Become President, Retains Old Powers

Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski, who crushed the Solidarity trade union movement when he became premier in 1981, resigned that post today but was promptly elected president and retained his position as Poland’s most powerful leader.

Zbigniew Messner, a former economics professor and Jaruzelski’s deputy, was elected to succeed him as premier on a 438-3 vote.

Jaruzelski, 62, who under Soviet pressure imposed martial law Dec. 31, 1981, and oversaw the suppression of Lech Walesa’s Solidarity labor union a year later, succeeded President Henryk Jablonski, 75.

Jaruzelski is expected to remain head of the Communist Party and commander of the armed forces. The combination of duties will continue to make him Poland’s most powerful political figure.

In Washington, a State Department official who requested anonymity said of Jaruzelski’s job change: “It doesn’t change anything. All it means is he won’t be drinking tea with visiting prime ministers.”

But Sophia Miskiewicz, an expert on Poland for Georgetown University’s Center for Strategic and International Studies said Jaruzelski’s move is unusual.

“Generally speaking, prime ministers in East European governments do not step down,” she said. “They either die in office or are removed by force of circumstance.”

Messner’s selection seemed to indicate the authorities’ determination to give increased priority to improving the economy and its impact on living standards in the coming months.