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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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News & Politics

Polish government after change in 2014