Summary of personal changes in Polish government (September 2014, Mrs Ewa Kopacz's government)

1. PolishgovernmentSummaryof 2014 changes
MSLGROUP Poland, 19th of September2014

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Governmentchangesin Poland -summary
●PM Donald Tusk (Civic Platform -PO) leaves the government to become a President of European Council. He will be replaced by Mrs EwaKopacz, 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 Kopaczopened herself for allfractions in PO (invitingGrzegorz Schetynaand CezaryGrabarczyk-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 Kopaczwill be more open to create a wider coalition in case the current PO-PSL doesn’t get enough votes.
●The new government issofarseen 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 EwaKopaczis planned for 1st of October.
Government changes in Poland – September 19th, 2014

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Governmentchangesin Poland -summary
Personal changes announced on September 19th:
●Minister of Foreign Affairs RadosławSikorski will be replaced by Grzegorz Schetyna. Mr Sikorski will become a new speaker of Sejm.
●Minister of Interior BartłomiejSienkiewicz will be replaced by Teresa Piotrowska
●Minister of Infrastructure and Development ElżbietaBieńkowskawill be replaced by Maria Wasiak. Mrs Bieńkowskawill be the EU commissioner.
●Minister of Justice Marek Biernackiwill be replaced by CezaryGrabarczyk
●Minister of Administration and Digitization RafałTrzaskowskiwill be replaced by Andrzej Halicki. Mr Trzaskowskiwill now focus on European issues.
Mr Tomasz Siemoniak, Minister of Defence, became additionally a deputy Prime Minister.
Government changes in Poland – September 19th, 2014

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PrimeMinister
EwaKopacz, 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

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Minister of Justice
CezaryGrabarczyk, 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
•EwaKopaczdescribed him as her personal friend, decent man and good lawyer.
•Has a strong group of supporters in the party (so called „Grabarczyk’scooperative”), long- term supporter of Donald Tusk.
Government changes in Poland – September 19th, 2014

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Minister of ForeignAffairs
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 partystructuresand most experiencedpoliticiansin PO.
Government changes in Poland – September 19th, 2014

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Minister of Administration and Digitization
Andrzej Halicki, 53 y/o
•MP since 2007, head of PO in Mazoviaregion 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

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Minister of Infrastructureand Development
Maria Wasiak, 54 y/o
•V-cechairwoman 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’sgovernment.
•According to PM EwaKopacz, she is to focus on development of infrastructure (roads, railways).
•Until today, not very visible in politics.
Government changes in Poland – September 19th, 2014

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Minister 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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