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Government in nepotism row over PKN Orlen appointment

PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle 26.09.2014 09:33
The Treasury has reportedly pulled out of a controversial appointment of one of former PM Donald Tusk's top advisers to the management board of oil giant PKN Orlen after nepotism allegations.

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PR advisor Igor Ostachowicz in nepotism row: photo - PAP/Radek Pietruszka (archive)

Igor Ostachowicz, a close and long-time associate of former Prime Minister Donald Tusk - who was recently elected as president of the European Council - and a public relations specialist, was appointed to the management board of PKN Orlen on Thursday.

According to information obtained by the TVN24 broadcaster, however, he will not now assume the position after the intervention of the new prime minister Ewa Kopacz.

On Thursday, the treasury ministry, which holds a 27.52 percent stake in PKN Orlen, said it wanted to make use of Ostachowicz's “many years of experience and unique skills."

Igor Ostachowicz was secretary of state at the chancellery of the prime minister for the last seven years, responsible for public communication.

The company's supervisory board named him deputy chief executive responsible for corporate communications and public affairs and he was also made responsible for energy security issues and matters related to EU funds.

Nevertheless, the appointment raised widespread criticism after reports that Tusk's advisor could have earned up to 2 million zloty (just under 500,000 euro) annually at PKN Orlen.

Henryk Kowalczyk, an MP for Poland's largest opposition party Law and Justice (PiS) has said the appointment was a clear case of nepotism and that all top appointments to posts at state-owned firms should be done through open competition.

“What is shocking is that faithful service to the prime minister results in thousands of zloty a month in salary,” the MP told Polish Radio.

Another issue that raised much controversy recently was the 510,000 zloty (122,000 euro) severance pay that Maria Wasiak, now minister of infrastructure, was supposed to receive from the former employer, state-owned railway group PKP.

TVN24 quoted sources as saying that Wasiak would return the money to PKP. The railway holding is currently going through a financial restructuring process. (kw/pg)

tags: PKN Orlen
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