![]() He is a close political ally of prime minister Donald Tusk and has been tasked to put one priority above all others – creating a solid regulatory framework for shale gas exploration so that Poland can get more exploration contracts with oil and gas companies. I’m told that Grabowski has less of an interest in European affairs. Korolec will report to Poland’s new environment minister Maciej Grabowski, but he may get a free hand on climate issues. He was a chief negotiator for Poland’s EU accession and, after they joined, he negotiated Poland’s position on the 2008 energy and climate package. As I wrote in my profile of Korolec earlier this month, his interests lie largely in Brussels. They say the rotation makes sense to them given Korolec’s relative lack of interest in the ‘environment’ part of his portfolio and his stronger interest in climate negotiations at EU and UN level.Ī roll-out of a new municipal waste programme in Poland this year went disastrously wrong and many felt that Korolec felt that the issue was seen as more of a nuisance by Korolec than as a calling. Anyone in Brussels who thought they wouldn’t be seeing Marcin Korolec again would be mistaken. But there is some truth to what he is saying. Polish government sources tell me Korolec may even be sitting in Poland’s chair for future energy councils if the issues on the agenda are climate-related, given that Poland has no energy minister. Of course this is party just putting a brave face on what is surely a disappointment. “Now I will be able to fully concentrate on the negotiations without the daily responsibilities of running the ministry,” he said. He’s still here and seems unphased by the announcement. He is remaining as president of these talks and is expected to continue coordinating Poland’s climate position until the Paris summit in December 2015. Although he is no longer a minister, he is staying in the government as a secretary of state for climate change. In fact nothing could be further from the truth.
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