The Polish government not only planned carefully before imposing martial law, it also prepared assiduously for its end. There the similarities end, however, since those operations were diametrically opposed in terms of not only their formal aims, but also the basic principles by which they were introduced: martial law was planned as an operation to be carried out by surprise, and by the simultaneous use of all forces. It was, however, to be abolished in stages, which would be announced ahead of time. Some members of the ruling clique and their intellectual backers believed that serious changes could be carried out in the economy and state structures behind the façade of martial law, but these intentions were never clearly outlined. In reality, for a long time the only substantial activity in the economic sphere was the drastic price increases on February 1, 1982, which were supposed to rid the market of the enormous monetary overhang. It was clear that these price hikes could not be carried out without a heavy militia and army presence in the streets.

The document “Uwagi i propozycje dotyczące wyjścia z kryzysu politycznego i stanu wojennego” (Comments and propositions on how to overcome the political crisis and martial law), prepared by the party's Central Committee apparatus in July 1982, mentioned the idea of creating a post of president of the Polish People's Republic, as well as controlled changes in the system of satellite parties, by which was undoubtedly understood permission for the foundation of a Christian Democratic party, with the support of the Episcopate. These projects were not part of the planned preparations for martial law, however, and there is also no sign that any of them were the subject of any serious discussion in decision-making circles over the course of the next year.

Preparing a plan for the repeal of martial law and the necessary actions afterward were once again primarily in the hands of military men, like everything related to its imposition. More specifically, they were within the purview of the Secretary of the Committee of National Defense and the Ministry of National Defense.