Today there were hearings in the European Parliament. Extra hearings following the rejection of the initial candidates for Commissioners from Romania, Hungary and France. The replacement candidates who did well are the two: Adina-Ioana Vălean of Romania, who is scheduled to be the Commissioner for transport, and Thierry Breton of France, who will be responsible … Continue reading 2 Commissioners missing
For the new European Commission to take office - initially scheduled for 1 November - we are still missing four confirmations and a final confirmation vote in the European Parliament. Three Commissioners-candidates were rejected earlier by the European Parliament. The French Sylvie Goulard was denied after her hearing. The Romanian Rovana Plumb and the Hungarian … Continue reading 4 Commissioners missing
President of the European Council just announced a new book to be published in December, "Szczerze", or "Honestly", about his 5 years in office as the President of the European Council. https://twitter.com/Agora_SA/status/1188859934500380678?s=20 Agora, the publisher, announced the date, 12 December. Mr Tusk's term in office ends on 1 December. The question of the week everybody … Continue reading Donald Tusk writes a book
Almost two weeks after the Polish general elections the politics in Warsaw is fourfold. There is a fight for the control over the Senate where the united opposition parties snatched a tiny majority (51-49) over the ruling Law and Justice (PiS). PiS challenges outcome in six districts with limited chances of success. The other three … Continue reading Jarosław Kaczyński writes to voters
Dear Reader, In a form of a letter, let me try to cover the ongoing political issues related to the European Union. You are free to ask and to comment. You are free to disagree. Today is the last day of the old world. Today is the first day of the new world. Obviously. So, … Continue reading Political Europe & Me
Who truly reads this blog? Please, comment this blog and I will know that you read it. As the European Parliament project has ended (#Gimme5EU), this blog is now gone.
Just four days after the parliamentary elections in Poland and the new political reality in Warsaw is slowly settling in. What do we know? A New PM in sight - unlikely Mateusz Morawiecki was or is the candidate for the Prime Minister job. But before this question is answered by the PiS chair, Jarosław Kaczyński, … Continue reading The Week After the Vote
PiS loses out in the Senate to the Opposition. Difficult time ahead. #Gimme5EU
So yesterday Poles went to the polls. And yes they did. Big numbers, some 61% (estimated) of the electorate showed up. The celebration of democracy continues. As the results come in and they are distorted after 25% and 42% of the vote, I prefer to present the "late poll" result, which is almost identical with … Continue reading Poland voted: the morning after
Today Poles go to the polls to elect new Sejm of 460 MPs and 100 Senators. As the first exit polls come out, Law and Justice is the clear winner with 43.6% of the vote. The centrist Civic Coalition (KO) is second with 27.4% of the vote. The Left's back in the Polish Parliament with … Continue reading Poland voted: First reactions
In four days Poles will chose their Parliament. There are 460 seats in the Sejm and 100 Senate seats to grab. Five electoral committees are competing for the votes: Law and Justice (PiS) is the ruling party, the Civic Coalition (KO) is the centrist opposition, the Left is the progressive coalition, the Polish Coalition (KP) … Continue reading Poland Votes 2019: four days to go
Janusz Wojciechowski will be Ursula's von der Leyen's Commissioner for Agriculture, after all. The Agricultural Committee of the European Parliament just heard the Polish politician for the second time today. After the second hearing was held with Mr Wojciechowski speaking at ease in his native language, the coordinators unanimously agreed to give him a green … Continue reading Wojciechowski gets EP approval on second attempt
The 1 October Wojciechowski hearing is poor. Even when the chair of the AGRI committee asks for the MEPs to applaud the Commissioner-designate it is lukewarm, at best. Mr Wojciechowski's performance is the poorest of all the Commissioners heard to date. It did not matter he is a PiS affiliate. It did not matter he … Continue reading How bad did Wojciechowski perform?
Ever since the replacement of the next Polish Commissioner, Mr Wojciechowski has kept a low profile trying to avoid the temper of the gods of the European Parliament who are on the hunt in this years hearings. Today he takes the centre stage; will he pass the Parliamentary hearing? Janusz Wojciechowski is a 64 year … Continue reading Will Mr Wojciechowski pass the test?
The second to last element in the process of establishing the new European leadership is about to take place. The show will begin as each of the individual Commissioners-nominees will face the European Parliament committee or committees. In the committees public hearings are scheduled. Here is the itinerary of the upcoming shows: 30 September: Commissioners … Continue reading The Hearings Are Coming Up
Ursula von der Leyen is proud. Her College is gender almost-balanced. There are 27 members, 14 men and 13 women. There were never as many ladies in the European Commission college. Yet, is this truly her College? Yes, she asked for female candidates. She also asked for two candidates to chose from. In the past … Continue reading Ursula’s College: the critical approach
On 13 October, Poles will go to the polls to chose their parliament. Who will rule Poland for the next four years? What are different political actors fighting for in this elections?
It is evening, 19 August 2019. Another sunny, hot day. The climate change shows its positive side for holiday-makers, as there are thousands of people on the sunny sandy beaches over the southern Baltic coast and thousands more hike the hills and mountains of south Poland. 30 degrees in the shade, and the political campaign … Continue reading The Ministry of Hate
Krzysztof Szczerski will not be a European Commissioner.
Krzysztof Szczerski draws lessons from Polish history for Europe
