The definition of happiness has changed since the 1989 transformations but the feeling of happiness remained, Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski said opening a debate „Our freedom…Poles after 25 years of change.” 

Komorowski recalled that back in 1991, 65 percent of Poles said that they felt happy while in 2013 the figure grew to 80 percent. „This is an evident change, most probably an effect of many factors, but certainly also of the assessment of what we see today, of our life,” said the president during Tuesday’s debate.

President Komorowski noted that Poles assess more positively transformations that have taken place in their country „than neighbours who had similar experience – the Hungarians, Czechs and Slovaks.” As many as 71 percent of Poles believe that changing the system was worthwhile. This opinion was shared by 63 percent of the Czechs, 56 percent of the Slovaks and 48 percent of Hungarians, the president said quoting results of a survey.

„I am aware that not everyone participated equally in the benefits stemming from transformations that started in 1989. There is a belief that only a few got richer, even though this is not backed by research results which show that the whole society is getting wealthier,” noted Komorowski.

The president stressed that surveys showed that Poles spoke with optimism on their lives, the lives of their families and their work. Most Poles positively assessed this sphere, said Komorowski.

The debate was organised as part of events marking the 25th anniversary of June 4, 1989 elections which led to the end of communist rule in Poland. (PAP)