PGNiG struggles to regain control of Gas Trading

The pipeline supplies Russian gas to Western Europe, and in a new twist to the saga, on March 19 PGNiG failed to win approval to appoint its candidate to a vacant post on the supervisory board of Gas Trading, which controls EuroPolGaz. This gave effective control over Gas Trading to the Russians. PGNiG lost the shareholders' vote because it did not manage to obtain the support of Bartimpeks, Gudzowaty's company. PGNiG will now attempt to regain control at Gaz Trading's next AGM on April 20, a crucial event that again hinges on the support of Bartimpeks. The question that analysts will be asking is: Will Gudzowaty want to use his bargaining position at Gas Trading to persuade the government to cease blocking construction of the pipeline between Bernau in Germany and Szczecin? (Puls Biznesu, pp. 1, 4-5) R.M.