Download - Polish government after change in 2014
Polish government
Summary of 2014
changes
MSLGROUP Poland, 19th of September 2014
2Government changes in Poland - summary
● PM Donald Tusk (Civic Platform - PO) leaves the government to become a President of European Council. He will be replaced by Mrs Ewa Kopacz, former speaker of Sejm, former Minister of Health and long term ally of Mr Tusk.
● While Mr Tusk was keeping the whole power in his hand, Mrs Kopacz opened herself for all fractions in PO (inviting Grzegorz Schetyna and Cezary Grabarczyk - to the government), reducing the chance of internal fight for power before 2015 parliamentary elections.
● Mr Tusk’s leave to Brussels decreased the chance of Law and Justice’s (PiS) government in late 2015, as Mrs Kopacz will be more open to create a wider coalition in case the current PO-PSL doesn’t get enough votes.
● The new government is so far seen as the „government of continuation” and „the government for one year only”.
● Current polls (before the new government was announced) are: PO (ruling party) –38%, PiS (right-wing opposition) – 33, PSL (peasant’s party, in coalition) – 7%, SLD (post-communists) – 6%, KNP (New Right) – 6%.
● The exposé of Mrs Ewa Kopacz is planned for 1st of October.
Government changes in Poland – September 19th, 2014
3Government changes in Poland - summary
Personal changes announced on September 19th:
● Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski will be replaced by Grzegorz Schetyna.
Mr Sikorski will become a new speaker of Sejm.
● Minister of Interior Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz will be replaced by Teresa Piotrowska
● Minister of Infrastructure and Development Elżbieta Bieńkowska will be replaced by
Maria Wasiak. Mrs Bieńkowska will be the EU commissioner.
● Minister of Justice Marek Biernacki will be replaced by Cezary Grabarczyk
● Minister of Administration and Digitization Rafał Trzaskowski will be replaced by
Andrzej Halicki. Mr Trzaskowski will now focus on European issues.
Mr Tomasz Siemoniak, Minister of Defence, became additionally a deputy Prime
Minister.
Government changes in Poland – September 19th, 2014
4Prime Minister
Ewa Kopacz, 57 y/o
• Speaker of parliament since 2011, minister of
health 2007-2011, deputy chair of Civic
Platform (PO) since 2010, first deputy chair of
PO.
• Close ally of previous PM, Donald Tusk,
opposition accused her of strongly supporting
the government when she was a speaker of
parliament.
• Her government is seen as the „government of
continuation” – with the goal of keeping
conflicts out of PO at least until the late 2015
parliamentary elections.
Government changes in Poland – September 19th, 2014
5Minister of Justice
Cezary Grabarczyk, 54 y/o
• Lawyer.
• Since 2001 Member of Parliament, has opinion
of hard working civil servant.
• From 2007 to 2011 the Minister of
Infrastructure, since then – deputy speaker of
Sejm
• Since 2013 Civic Platform (ruling party) Vice-
President
• Ewa Kopacz described him as her personal
friend, decent man and good lawyer.
• Has a strong group of supporters in the party
(so called „Grabarczyk’s cooperative”), long-
term supporter of Donald Tusk.
Government changes in Poland – September 19th, 2014
6Minister of Foreign Affairs
Grzegorz Schetyna, 51 y/o
• Since 2001 Member of Parliament
• From 2007 to 2009 Deputy PM and Minister of
Interior and Administration (resigned after the
so called gambling scandal)
• From 2009 to 2010 chairman of the PO
parliamentary club, later (until 2011) the
speaker of Sejm
• Since 2011 Chairman of the Parliamentary
Committee on Foreign Affairs
• One of leaders of anti-Donald Tusk opposition
within party structures and most experienced
politicians in PO.
Government changes in Poland – September 19th, 2014
7Minister of Administration and Digitization
Andrzej Halicki, 53 y/o
• MP since 2007, head of PO in Mazovia region
since 2010.
• In politics since early 80s – active in anti-
communist opposition, later a spokesman of
KLD parliamentary club (Donald Tusk’s party)
in early 90s.
• Member of parliamentary committees of
Foreign Affairs and of Constitutional
Responsibility.
• Might focus more on administration, less on
digital issues.
• An ally of Grzegorz Schetyna, the new MoFA.
Government changes in Poland – September 19th, 2014
8Minister of Infrastructure and Development
Maria Wasiak, 54 y/o
• V-ce chairwoman of the Polish Railways (PKP
SA) board since 2012, former chairwoman
(2011-2012).
• Former voivode (representative of
government) in Radom region.
• Former chief of political cabinet of minister of
transport in Jerzy Buzek’s government.
• According to PM Ewa Kopacz, she is to focus
on development of infrastructure (roads,
railways).
• Until today, not very visible in politics.
Government changes in Poland – September 19th, 2014
9Minister of Interior
Teresa Piotrowska, 59 y/o
• MP since 2001, member of parliamentary
committees of finance and of state control.
• Former voivode (representative of
government) in Bydgoszcz region.
• Former deputy chairwoman of the Public
Procurement Office (1999-2001).
• In local politics since mid 90s.
• Until today, not very visible in central politics
and with little experience in areas she will be
responsible for.
Government changes in Poland – September 19th, 2014
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