Is Poland – a pioneer in putting an end to communism – lagging behind its neighborswhen it comes to democracy ? Through negotiating a step-by-step transition in which ex-communists played a part, did Poland surrender the opportunity for a clean break ? Governmental instability in the last 15 years bears witness to this ongoing debate.What does emerge though is that the country’s fundamental choices – economic liberalization and the European option – have de facto been confirmed by all the successive governments.