2005 The year in brief: JUNE

Gilowska quits

Civic Platform Deputy Leader Zyta Gilowska quits the party after she is accused of nepotism. Jan Rokita and Donald Tusk demanded an explanation from her on why she employed her daughter-in-law and is cooperating with her son, who was to run for PO in Lublin in the general elections.

PKPP protest

Polish State Railways Unions protest against the government's new strategy for restructuring the rail carrier and its privatization. They claim that contrary to earlier agreements, the strategy was not discussed with them.

PKN moves in

PKN Orlen purchases 62.99% of Czech-owned Unipetrol's shares. Orlen pays CZK11.3 (zł.1.56) billion for the stake. The vice president of Orlen, Cezary Smorszczewski, says the company will treat the Czech Republic as its second home market. (Poland A.M.)

Constitutional crisis

The EU is in deep crisis after referendums in France and Holland (June 1) reject the European constitution. At an EU summit in Brussels, the deadline for ratifying the constitution is extended beyond November 2006. Prime Minister of Luxemburg, Jean-Claude Juncker, says the process will not be finished by mid 2007. 

BPH takeover

Italian Unicredito announces its takeover of German HVB through a EUR 19 (zł.76.6) billion transaction. The bank's employees all over Europe are worried about their jobs, as the merger is going to result in massive layoffs. In Poland, 2,500 people working for Pekao SA (owned by Unicredito) and BPH (belonging to HVB) are expected to lose their jobs.     (Poland A.M.)