Who's Who: The Polish Government

Polish government

Summary of changes MSLGROUP Poland, 20th of November 2013

Government changes in Poland - summary ● PM Donald Tusk (Civic Platform) announced long-awaited changes in his government, effective next week. ● Ruling Civic Platform (PO), after 6 years in power, loses in polls with its main competitor, Law and Justice (PiS) led by Jarosław Kaczyński, twin brother of president Lech Kaczynski (died in 2010) ● Recently there were some scandals around the PO party – internal conflict of two groups in the party, buying votes during local party leaders’ elections, corruption scandals related to IT systems of public administration ● Additionally, the government decided to dismantle the major part of social security system, planning to cancel state bonds owned by the private social security companies. The reform was led by the unpopular minister of finances, Jacek Rostowski. ● Current polls are: PiS (right-wing opposition) – 31%, PO (ruling party) – 22%, SLD (post-communists) – 12%, TR – 5%, PSL (peasant’s party, in coalition) – 5%, SP - 3%, PJN - 2%, NP – 2%.

Government changes in Poland – November 20th, 2013

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Minister of Finances Mateusz Szczurek, 38 yr • Chief economist of ING Group for CEE, active in EMEA region • PhD in economy, Sussex • Econometrics studies in International Centre for Money and Banking Studies in Genève and London.

• Academic in Warsaw School of Economics, University of Sussex and Goethe Business School • Previously not involved in politics, some economists say that he may be selected to carry out vision of Jan Krzysztof Bielecki, chief advisor to PM Donald Tusk • Replaced Jan Vincent Rostowski Government changes in Poland – November 20th, 2013

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Minister of infrastructure and development Elżbieta Bieńkowska, 49 yr • Appointed as deputy PM • Minister of regional development since 2007 • Senator since 2011 • Spent most of her carreer as a specialist for EU (and previously PHARE) funds • Took active part in negotiations regarding EU cohesion policy fund for 2014-2020 • Recognized as an expert in her field and one of best ministers in Donald Tusk’s government • Government change extended her duties to supervision of infrastructure development • Her ministry joined with Sławomir Nowak’s.

Government changes in Poland – November 20th, 2013

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Minister of Envirionment Maciej H. Grabowski, 54 yr • Deputy minister of Finances since 2008 • Former deputy head of Gdansk Instytute for Market Economics (IBnGR), influential economic think-tank • In MF was responsible among others for the VAT legislation and shale gas taxation • His main goals are increasing of use of „natural resources in Poland”, especially through finalizing works on the shale gas legislation • Replaced Marcin Korolec

Government changes in Poland – November 20th, 2013

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Minister of Administration and Digitization Rafał Trzaskowski, 41 yr • EPP MEP since 2009, previously adviser to the group • Phd in Warsaw University, specialized in institutional changes in EU • In European Parliament focused recently on issues related to Digital Agenda, privacy legislation and re-use of public data • Member of EP constitutional commitee and IMCO • Not involved in daily „party life” in Poland, recognized as expert in his field • Replaced Michał Boni

Government changes in Poland – November 20th, 2013

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Minister of Sport Andrzej Biernat, 54 yr • Member of Parliament since 2005 • During parliamentary works focused on sport issues • Informal leader of one Civic Platform’s fractions • Will be responsible among others for the Polish candidacy to Winter Olimpics, wants to strengthen cooperation with sport associations • Replaced Joanna Mucha

Government changes in Poland – November 20th, 2013

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Minister of Science and Higher Education Lena Kolarska-Bobińska, 66 yr • EPP MP since 2009 • Nominee to the MEP Award MEPs in the Energy category • Member of ITRE and Petition committees • Professor of sociology, thanks to the Ford grant studied in Stanford University and Business School of Carnegie-Mellon University • Head of the Institute for Public Studies think tank. Advised to Lech Wałęsa and Aleksander Kwaśniewski (former presidents of Poland) • Wants to „well spend” EU money for R&D • Replaced Barbara Kudrycka

Government changes in Poland – November 20th, 2013

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Minister of Education Joanna Kluzik-Rostkowska, 50 yr • Former deputy minister of work and social policy, and of regional development (in Law and Justice’s governments), former head of election campaign of Jarosław Kaczyński (PiS) • MP since 2007, in Civic Platform since 2011 • Will finish primary schools reform and new educational programmes • The new government is her „big comeback” to the politics • Replaced Krystyna Szumilas

Government changes in Poland – November 20th, 2013

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