The evolving perception of the Club of Generals and Admirals in Poland
The generals who once shaped martial law are no longer alive. Yet, voices in defense of the army note that the institution has shifted in image and alignment, adopting standards more in line with NATO practices, a point raised by General Roman Harmoza in a 2021 interview with Rzeczpospolita.
Rzeczpospolita highlights a growing activity among the controversial Club of Generals and Admirals, an association that historically gathered senior officers who served during martial law. Recently, this former military initiative has held a string of meetings with opposition parties, most notably with Civic Platform.
The latest gathering occurred at the end of March and drew participation from Borys Budka, the head of Civic Coalition, and Tomasz Siemoniak, a former defense minister and deputy head of Civic Platform. It marked another instance of opposition leaders engaging with an organization that politicians had largely avoided in recent years, according to the newspaper’s reporting.
The club, founded in 1996, remains open to anyone who has attained the rank of general or admiral. In practice, however, many of its long history members come from the era of martial law and carry controversial biographies. Among those previously listed as presidents were General Roman Misztal, who led military intelligence during martial law, General Franciszek Puchała, the planner of martial law, General Teodor Kufel, the head of military security, and General Józef Baryła, a former member of the WRON.
The club gained notable media attention in 2013 when its representatives publicly supported gaining honorary help at the funeral of General Florian Siwicki, a commander involved in the 1968 aggression against Czechoslovakia and a close associate of General Wojciech Jaruzelski. A few months later, the club signed an agreement with the Ministry of National Defense, a pledge that was later abandoned after the government change in 2015.
Even as politicians generally kept a distance, the atmosphere around the club shifted in 2019 when Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, then leader of the PSL, met with club members. Two years later, Szymon Hołownia and, subsequently, Włodzimierz Czarzasty, leaders of other political currents, also met with club activists. In September 2022, the generals conferred with the country’s ombudsman, Marcin Wiącek.
A potential post-communist lobby?
Conversations within the Club of Generals and Admirals frequently touch on topics such as the burial arrangements for former commanders, mirroring shifts in official practice. For instance, changes implemented by the defense ministry have altered how military and ceremonial support is provided during funerals of senior officers. Since 2021, the minister of national defense has the authority to decide whether to grant such ceremonial arrangements. The new rules announced by the ruling party’s government did not sit well with many veterans who served during the communist era. Pensions for retired officers also surface in discussions surrounding the club’s influence and agenda.
The broad reason opposition figures have grown more comfortable meeting with the club lies in the realities of time. With many martial law era leaders now passed away, the political calculus shifts toward a pragmatic engagement with a veteran network that still wields influence and experience.
The club’s rhetoric and actions continue to provoke debate. A number of reports describe the group’s ties to various political personalities and its potential to shape security policy should the opposition gain power. Debates about who could serve as a security adviser reflect broader concerns about how historical legacies shape contemporary policy making.
Critics have pointed to links between some club members and figures associated with the communist security apparatus, underscoring the persistent tension between memory, accountability, and political spares. Yet supporters argue that seasoned officers bring practical knowledge about national defense and state security that could inform future governance if the opposition gains a guiding role in the country’s administration.
The political fault lines around the Club of Generals and Admirals illustrate how veteran institutions can intersect with contemporary democratic processes. The alliances formed in the halls where past power was cemented raise questions about transparency, governance, and the balance between honoring military service and preventing the reuse of old networks for current political ends.
Discussions about the club’s role in current events continue to surface in media coverage and public discourse. The possibility that veterans from the martial law era could influence policy or serve as informal advisors to future administrations remains a point of contention, reflecting wider concerns about how history informs today’s political landscape.
In reviewing how the club has navigated changes over the years, observers see a pattern of adaptation. The shift toward aligning with broader defense standards, alongside ongoing controversy, signals that the organization is unlikely to fade but rather to redefine its place in Poland’s security and political milieu. The ongoing dialogue among veterans, politicians, and public commentators indicates that the legacy of martial law continues to provoke reflection and debate in the country’s democratic development.
Note: This synthesis reflects reporting from multiple Polish outlets and summarizes how the Club of Generals and Admirals has been portrayed in national discourse. The portrayal emphasizes both the veteran network’s enduring presence and the tensions surrounding its political engagements.