The former Polish leader referred to in the crossword solution is Lech Wałęsa, a Polish politician and trade union organizer who served as the first democratically elected President of Poland from 1990 to 1995. Wałęsa was a key figure in the Solidarity movement, which helped bring an end to communism in Poland and across Eastern Europe. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983 for his efforts in promoting democracy and human rights.