Piłsudskiite

A Piłsudskiite ( _pl. Piłsudczyk) was a supporter of Marshall Józef Piłsudski of Poland, founder of the World War I-era Polish Legions and the first Chief of State of the Second Republic of Poland. Piłsudskiites had a major influence on Polish politics in the interwar period.

Piłsudski was a dominant political figure of the interwar period's Second Polish Republic. Most governments were in favour of Marshall, who himself was a Chief of State from 1918 to 1922 and Prime Minister in 1926-1928 and for several months in 1930. Piłsudski was highly influential and never dropped out from the public life, remaining active in Polish politics in influencing its shape until his death in May 1935. The position of the General Inspector of the Armed Forces was created specifically for Piłsudski, who wasn't responsible to the Sejm (parliament) but only to President.

In May 1926 Piłsudskiite forces conducted May Coup deposing legally elected government and installing own. Sanacja political camp was formed and Piłsudski's power grown stronger. Sanacja began to strengthen own power and curb the life of opposition political parties. Many parties in that time became Piłsudskiite to get closer to power and stay safe from potential problems.

Piłsudski died in May 1935 and Piłsudskiite Sanacja movement lost its leader. Situation in Poland in that period became politically radicalized and the pressure of opposition camps on the ruling Sanacja (especially from the right-wing National Democracy) became stronger. In order to unite the Piłsudskiites leading Piłsudskiite politicians formed the Camp of National Unity, political camp aimed at uniting Piłsudskiites and holding the power.

In order to gain voters from the opposition National Democracy, the Camp of National Unity radicalized its programme and even took some issues from opposition right-wing camp, and became more nationalist. Still it advocated Piłsudski's points of view and followed his political heritage.

ee also

*Colonels' group