Contact: Marek Matraszek [email protected]

Janusz Wojciechowski Poland (ECR)

Background

Poland’s candidate for European Commissioner Krzysztof Szczerski unexpectedly withdrew his candidacy on the grounds that he was not suitable to be the proposed Agriculture Commissioner. Szczerski, Head of the Cabinet of President Andrzej Duda, proposed Janusz Wojciechowski, currently an auditor in the European Court of Auditors, for the function and the government accepted the proposal.

In official government communication Szczerski’s withdrawal has been explained by a mismatch of competence. Szczerski argued that he has never dealt with Agriculture and wanted to show “political honesty” by proposing a more suitable candidate. This was reiterated by the government’s spokesperson and described as a “constructive and pro-state decision”. However, critics argue that Szczerski as Head of Andrzej Duda’s Cabinet is associated with the contested judicial reforms and that this may have been the primary cause of his decision. Szczerski would have to face a vote in the and his nomination could have been rejected, as was the case with former PM Beata Szydło who was rejected as Chairman of the EMPL Committee.

Wojciechowski held high functions in Poland; in 1995-2001 he was Head of the Supreme Audit Office, and then Deputy Speaker of the Sejm until 2004. Until 2006 he was a member of the agrarian PSL party, serving as party leader for 9 months in 2004. In 2010 he joined the PiS party.

Wojciechowski is also one of Poland’s veteran MEPs, serving as Deputy Chair of the EP’s Agriculture and Rural Development Committee between 2004 and 2016. His experience and knowledge of the Union’s agricultural policy will play to his advantage during hearings.

If his nomination will be approved, Wojciechowski will be in charge of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy which is of great significance for Poland. As a response to the changing characteristics of agriculture in Europe, especially climate change and the frequent droughts, the EU will introduce changes to its agricultural policy for the years 2021-2027. For Poland it will be important to maintain the high subsidy level, which was previously awarded – regardless of new policy objectives. It remains unclear whether granted Poland the Agricultural Commission as a result of negotiations with the remaining EU member states or whether Poland’s government actively pursued this sector. Still, regardless of government ambitions and the subjective prominence of various commissions, the Common Agricultural Policy is key to the development of Poland’s agriculture and rural areas. In terms of internal politics, it can be expected that the ruling PiS party will advertise Poland receiving the EU agriculture portfolio as a significant success. Firstly, a representative of Poland has never held a Commission portfolio associated with such a significant share of the EU budget. Secondly, this will reinforce PiS' message to rural voters which have proved instrumental in securing the party’s victories in previous elections.

In another twist to the nomination process which could lead to some uncomfortable questions in the hearings, Wojciechowski is under investigation by the EU’s anti-fraud agency OLAF for alleged irregularities in the reimbursement of travel expenses while an MEP.