Polish government introduces changes in PiS-controlled petrol giant

Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government began structural and personnel changes in the partially state-owned petrol giant, Orlen, which has been controlled by the former conservative PiS (ECR) cabinet until now.

At the general meeting of Orlen shareholders on Tuesday, the entire supervisory board appointed by the previous government of Mateusz Morawiecki (PiS, ECR) was dismissed and replaced.

Tuesday was also the last day for PiS favourite Daniel Obajtek as CEO of Orlen, who was dismissed by the previous board last Thursday. The board decided not to wait for a replacement and took action against Obajtek in advance.

According to unconfirmed media reports, Obajtek may be replaced in his position by former EU Internal Market and Services commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska.

Under the changes approved by State Property Minister Borys Budka, the supervisory board will now be fully controlled by the state, and no other stakeholder will have direct control over the actions of Orlen’s management.

According to the Orlen website, the company sells its products in 100 countries on five continents. Orlen petrol stations can be found in Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Lithuania and, since last year, Austria.

Under the PiS government, Orlen expanded into new areas of activity, including renewable energy, and became one of the country’s most prominent sponsors of culture and sport. Obajtek, the Polish petrol magnate, was even called ‘Don Orleone’ abroad, including in the Czech Republic. (Aleksandra Krzysztoszek | Euractiv.pl)

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