Poland's deputy PM heading for European Commission?

Deputy PM Elżbieta Bieńkowska congratulates Donald Tusk being elected to lead European Council on Monday in Warsaw: photo - PAP/Radek Pietruszka

Poland's deputy prime minister, who is also infrastructure minister, is a likely candidate to become a member of the European Commission, according to sources quoted both by Polish Radio and TVP public television.

She is likely to take over some field of economic issues in the EC, possibly becoming internal market commissioner.

Prime minister Donald Tusk was elected to lead the European Council on Saturday, with Elzbieta Bienkowska also being mentioned, however, as one candidate to take over as leader of the ruling Civic Platform, alongside Speaker of Parliament Ewa Kopacz and Defence Minister Tomasz Siemoniak.

But the deputy PM is scheduled to meet president-elect of the EU's executive body Jean-Claude Juncker on Thursday.

According to sources, Bienkowska is highly valued in Brussels for her determined style as a minister and for her understanding of EU matters.

The fact that she is a woman also acts in her favour, as so far only five other countries have named women as their candidates for commissioners.

When Bienkowska assumes her commissioner post, her ministry will be divided, according to sources quoted by TVP.

Adam Zdzieblo, now deputy minister, will become minister of development, while another, yet unknown, person will take over as minister of infrastructure.

It is known that Poland has been angling for a key post in the European Commission dealing with economic issues.

Each of the 28 nations in the EU is given one seat on the European Commission.

For the last five years, Janusz Lewandowski has been commissioner for the EU budget. (kw/pg)

Source: IAR, TVP