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
Jarosław Kaczyński sees a conspiracy between independent judiciary, European Union and LGBT
Krzysztof Szczerski is a candidate for the position of a Commissioner in the College of Ursula von der Leyen. Earlier this week there was a meeting between the nominee and the Commission President. The only relevant information Mr Szczerski shared after the meeting is that he has signalled his interest in an economic portfolio. No … Continue reading Szczerski: Euro’s good only for the powerful (Part 3)
Marek Kuchciński is no longer Speaker of the Sejm. His flights scandal made him grounded.
Poland's national elections campaign is on! 13 October is the date.
Krzysztof Szczerski, the Commissioner-nominee for the Ursula von der Leyen Commission, published a book in 2017 entitled "European Utopia". I am reading it for you. Today's part: "Europe without a soul is dead". According to Mr Szczerski the European identity is based on Christianity. He seeks a special role for the Poles: "we have a … Continue reading Szczerski: Europe without a soul is dead (Part 2)
Krzysztof Szczerski on Europe
Ursula von der Leyen has a busy summer. She is touring the EU capitals searching for her Commissioners. By now she's been in Paris, Warsaw, Rome and Budapest, among other capital cities. In Warsaw she found her Polish Commissioner. On her visit to Warsaw on 25 July Ursula von der Leyen underlines that there is … Continue reading The Quest for the Commissioner is (not yet) over
There are 20 Committees in the European Parliament and 2 sub-Committees. There are 51 MEPs elected in Poland. Who sits where? Here is the list of all the MEPs elected in Poland who are either full members or substitutes in the Committees: Foreign Affairs (AFET): 10 MEPs Robert Biedroń, S&DAdam Bielan, ECRWłodzimierz Cimoszewicz, S&D (ex-foreign … Continue reading Polish MEPs in EP Committees
Many countries have already appointed next Commissioners. There is a deficit of women. The Polish Commissioner is still missing. For the time being the list is closed. By the time Ursula von der Leyen comes to Warsaw the decision is most likely going to be announced later this week. The issue is reported in today's … Continue reading The Quest for a Polish Commissioner continues
In the European Elections 46% Poles took part, which is an astounding increase with the previous European votes in 2004, 2009 and 2014 (all with 20-25% participation level). In October 2018 during the local and regional elections some 55% Poles went to the polls. This was the best turn out in local and regional elections … Continue reading Polish democracy: gay rights or gay propaganda?
Law and Justice has a very difficult period in the new European Parliament. It comes into the chamber as the winner of the Polish vote. Since, there are problems. First small, then big. The first small problem is the fact that the group of PiS, European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) is relegated from the 3rd … Continue reading Difficult first weeks in the Parliament for PiS
