Andrzej Olechowski, a co-founder of Poland’s Civic Platform party and former Foreign Minister, has died at the age of 78, Polish news agency PAP reports.
Early Life and Education
Andrzej Olechowski was born on September 9, 1947, in Kraków. He lectured at Jagiellonian University, the Catholic University of Lublin, and Collegium Civitas, and authored publications on economics and foreign policy.
Ministerial Roles
Olechowski served as Minister of Finance in the government of Jan Olszewski in 1992, and as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the government of Waldemar Pawlak from 1993 to 1995.
Civic Platform Co-Founder
He was a co-founder of the Civic Platform (Platforma Obywatelska) alongside Maciej Płażyński and Donald Tusk, known as the “three tenors” who established the party.
Presidential Campaigns
Olechowski ran for the office of President of Poland in 2000 and 2010.
Confirmation of Death
The confirmation of his death was provided to PAP by Marcin Bosacki, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, who described it as a “great loss.”