Provisional Government of the Republic of Poland

The Provisional Government of the Republic of Poland was a transitional administration that operated from December 1944 until June 1945, overseeing Polish affairs during postwar recovery. It coordinated national operations and assumed the functions of a legitimate state government for the war-torn country.

The State National Council established this body on December 31, 1944, replacing the earlier Committee of National Liberation based in Lublin. This shift marked the transition from makeshift structures to a more formal governmental organization as Soviet forces advanced across Poland.

This government embodied the shift toward Soviet influence in Poland after the war, with workers' party members dominating the cabinet and shaping policy decisions. The leadership reflected new political alignments that were taking root across Eastern Europe during the postwar period.

The administration moved its headquarters from Lublin to Warsaw on January 18, 1945, to operate from the capital. Visitors can explore the locations where this government conducted its work and understand the circumstances under which it functioned.

Edward Osóbka-Morawski served as premier of this government, but real control rested with Soviet General Ivan Serov in the background. This dual power arrangement revealed the limited independence Poland had during this period.

Inception: December 31, 1944

GPS coordinates: 52.25429,21.03476

Latest update: December 19, 2025 23:36