Treasure hunt

Last week the main opposition party, Civic Platform (PO), submitted a motion to launch a no-confidence vote in Treasury Minister Wojciech Jasiński.

The move came following controversies over two CEOs in state-controlled companies: Bogusław Marzec, former CEO of WSE-listed Polish Oil and Gas (PGNiG), and Jaromir Netzel, CEO of insurance group PZU. Civic Platform has attacked Jasiński on a number of fronts, for his personnel decisions, for neglecting privatization, and for limiting state companies' growth potential by paying out large dividends.

"What is happening at state-owned companies is scandalous. There are no clear rules for appointing executives. Privatization has been stopped," said PO's deputy, Aleksander Grad.

It seems that Prime Minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz also has his doubts about recent state appointments. In a bid to quell the furore over the PGNiG and PZU top brass, he announced a plan to create a body that would evaluate potential candidates for senior posts in state firms. "This will help improve implementing high standards of people who will represent the state's interests in state-owned firms," the Prime Minister told a news conference.

However, Wojciech Jasiński is likely to save his post. The motion filed by PO  will be supported by the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD), but both parties do not have enough votes to dismiss him. (Reuters)