Żurek, Berek, and the Rest: A Parliamentary Review of Government Hope (or Despair)

The excitement surrounding the government reshuffle has yet to subside. Some ministers are making their first appearances, while others are experienced political players. Which of the ministerial heads is rated the highest by parliamentarians? We asked them this question while in the Sejm.

Government Reshuffle. Who Has the Best Chances?

"This government is very badly served by the fact that a ministerial position has been created for someone who is supposed to monitor the work of other ministers. And that's the prime minister's domain. This makes this reconstruction grotesque," says Agnieszka Wojciechowska van Heukelom (PiS).

The MP adds that it is risky to entrust the management of the Ministry of Energy to Miłosz Motyka – "an inexperienced, relatively young man".

Anita Kucharska-Dziedzic (Left) is betting – as she says – “on the ministry and ministers from the Left.”

"The question is which ministers do citizens place the most hope in, and where are the greatest challenges? I think public opinion will focus primarily on what will happen in the Ministry of Health, where expectations are high, but also in the Ministry of Justice, not in the context of settling accounts with the previous administration and prosecuting politicians, but above all, improving the situation within the judiciary itself."

As he emphasizes, "we have enormous delays and the wait for justice in Poland is truly criminally long."

"Citizens want to feel confident in healthcare. When they arrive at the hospital, they want to receive care quickly and professionally. We, as the Left, also have expectations regarding the implementation of the left-wing housing bill passed by parliament."

"Women Full of Energy"

Ewa Schädler (Poland 2050) is betting on a minister from her party. "Each of them is a woman full of energy, determination, and a willingness to act."

According to Janusz Kowalski (PiS), "there was no reconstruction because Donald Tusk was not replaced."

"He's number one on the list. 60 percent of Poles don't want Tusk as prime minister. This is a weak, failing government. A government that's completely lazy, doesn't work, a government of some lobbying knockoffs. A government that doesn't solve Poles' problems—energy prices, food prices, or protect the Polish steel market."

Referring to the Minister of Energy, he points out that "if Motyka supports Polish coal, he will have allies in PiS, but for now I do not see such an approach from this government."

Tag and great hopes?

Marcin Józefaciuk (KO) points to Minister Maciej Berek.

"His task is to align the government's entire policy, ensure everything is going in the right direction, and support the Prime Minister. He will be the most important minister."

Paulina Matysiak from the Razem party has a similar opinion.

"It's an interesting construct and concept, because it turns out that until now, no one was keeping an eye on anyone, and hence the effects that led to the need for a grand opening and a fresh start. We'll see how Minister Berek will keep an eye on his government colleagues."

"We don't have time anymore"

Adrian Witczak (KO) has the greatest hopes for the new head of the Ministry of Justice. "I think Minister Żurek will fulfill his role and the expectations placed upon him by Poles. He holds very good promise."

His older party colleague, Mariusz Witczak, also points to Waldemar Żurek. "We don't have time anymore, and in some respects the constitution should be applied directly. We should start with the place that poisons all others, namely the National Council of the Judiciary."

Robert Telus (PiS), in turn, claims that "reconstruction will not change anything."

"It's a bit of a ploy to pull the wool over the eyes of voters, Poles. Why won't things change? Because there's Donald Tusk, who shapes policy. Let's look at the Ministry of Agriculture. Maybe the minister would like to, and this has been repeatedly seen with Siekierski, but Tusk won't let him do anything. And so it will continue."