EC concerned about takeover of Polska Press by PKN Orlen
23:48
The takeover of Polska Press by PKN Orlen has raised concerns of the European Commission, emphasized in an interview with EURACTIV.com the Vice-President of the European Commission Vera Jourová. The statement of the EU commissioner appeared before the Constitutional Tribunal, chaired by Julia Przyłębska, issued a verdict on the compliance with the constitutional law of the issue of extending the term of office of the Ombudsman, Adam Bodnar.
It was Adam Bodnar who in March appealed against the decision of the President of UOKiK, who agreed to the transaction. This Monday (April 12), the Court of Competition and Consumer Protection upheld the Ombudsman's request to suspend the execution of the President of UOKIK's decision regarding the takeover of Polska Press by PKN Orlen. Bodnar's term of office ended in September 2020, and a replacement has not yet been appointed.
Law and Justice (PiS) claims that Bodnar has long used the position to block government initiatives. PiS politicians accuse the Ombudsman of politicizing his function and acting in line with the opposition's line.
The events in Warsaw drew the attention of the European Commission, and Vice-President Vera Jourová said that the acquisition of Polska Press heralded a disturbing trend for the media in the country.
"The Orlen case raised concerns for the Commission," Jourová emphasized
"Obviously, we cannot interfere with the ongoing procedures, but taking over a state-controlled media company could create a dangerous situation in which the media would act in the interest of one political party. Therefore, it is very important that the competition rules are applied fairly in Poland, "she added.
Jourová, responsible for the freedom of the media in the European Commission, added that the Court of Competition and Consumer Protection "had very good reasons" to suspend the execution of the decision of the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection on the takeover of Polska Press by PKN Orlen.
