Author: Piotr Maciej Kaczynski

I talk, I write, I speak, I study, I analyse, I teach, I hike, I run, I travel, I learn, I care. This e-home will be developed gradually. You can find information about me and about my publications and other activities.

Szczerski: Euro’s good only for the powerful (Part 3)

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) →

Szczerski: Europe without a soul is dead (Part 2)

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) →

The Quest for the Commissioner is (not yet) over

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 →

Polish MEPs in EP Committees

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 →

The Quest for a Polish Commissioner continues

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 →

Polish democracy: gay rights or gay propaganda?

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? →

Difficult first weeks in the Parliament for PiS

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 →

How the Szydło affair keeps Commissioners-nominees hostage

In the chaos of transition between the Parliaments and the Commissions there are some surprise stories, twists and attempted shortcuts. There are unintended consequences and parallel processes that impact one another. Here's one such story. 26 May, the end of European elections. Among new MEPs are two ex-Commissioners, Andrus Ansip and Corina Creţu. 2 June, … Continue reading How the Szydło affair keeps Commissioners-nominees hostage →

Will all of EPP support Ursula?

10 July 2019. Meeting of the European People's Party in the European Parliament in Brussels. Main theme: meeting with Ursula von der Leyen, candidate for the presidency of the European Commission. The meeting is closed, after the meeting there is a statement that the EPP "fully" supports von der Leyen. After meeting the candidate, Manfred … Continue reading Will all of EPP support Ursula? →

Krasnodębski is NOT a Vice-President. How come?

There are 14 vice-presidents of the European Parliament. Elected in three rounds on Wednesday, here they are: The natural thing for the European Parliament in choosing its vice-president is to do so by a consensus between the political groups. Except for, there is no consensus in this new European Parliament. Cordon sanitaire There are two … Continue reading Krasnodębski is NOT a Vice-President. How come? →

Habemus papam… not yet

2 July 2019, a series of tweets of Donald Tusk: https://twitter.com/eucopresident/status/1146102183034785792 https://twitter.com/eucopresident/status/1146102257555050496 https://twitter.com/eucopresident/status/1146102340732235776 https://twitter.com/eucopresident/status/1146102409959227395 This is the package negotiated by the European Council. No place for Mr Weber. No place for Mr Timmermans. Why? The European People's Party got stubborn in their demands for an EPP politician on top of the next European Commission. If … Continue reading Habemus papam… not yet →

European Council negotiates top jobs

If you follow the top-jobs debate in the European Union you may know about the stalemate since 26 May. The stalemate is political and institutional. It is institutional between the European Council and the European Parliament, who says that the next European Commission President should come from among the Spitzen-candidates. The views in the European … Continue reading European Council negotiates top jobs →