May Coup (Poland)

May Coup
Przewrót majowy
Part of the interwar period

Józef Piłsudski and other coup leaders on Poniatowski Bridge in Warsaw.
Date12–14 May 1926
Location
Result

Sanation victory, President Wojciechowski and Prime Minister Witos resigned.

Military seized power.
Belligerents
Second Polish Republic Sanation-loyal army Second Polish Republic Government-loyal army
Commanders and leaders
Józef Piłsudski Stanisław Wojciechowski
Wincenty Witos
Strength
12,000 6,000–8,000
Casualties and losses
Military killed: 215
Civilians killed: 164
Military and civilian wounded: 920
Total: 1,299

The May Coup (Polish: przewrót majowy or zamach majowy) was a coup d'état carried out in Poland by Marshal Józef Piłsudski from 12 to 14 May 1926. The attack of Piłsudski's supporters on government forces resulted in an overthrow of the democratically-elected government of President Stanisław Wojciechowski and Prime Minister Wincenty Witos and caused hundreds of fatalities. A new government was installed, headed by Kazimierz Bartel. Ignacy Mościcki became president. Piłsudski remained the dominant politician in Poland until his death in 1935.


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