After a decidedly lackluster performance at his hearing before the EU Parliament, the Polish candidate for Agricultural Commissioner, Janusz Wojciechowsk, risks not being confirmed later this month.
Last week’s hearing was assessed by many in the EU Parliament as “poor,” with MEPs pointing out Wojciechowski’s tendency to give evasive, general answers and declaring a readiness for dialogue on issues such as the Common Agricultural Policy rather than presenting specific, concrete proposals.
Despite responding to additional questions and clarifying his stance in a followup letter, MEPs requested a second hearing with Wojciechowski, which took place earlier this morning. It will be his last chance to win the support of at least two-thirds of the committee members or risk being asked to step aside for a new candidate to be put forward.
Wojciechowski joins a growing list of potential candidates, including Swedish candidate for Internal Affairs Ylva Johansson and candidate for Internal Market Commissioner Sylvie Goulard of France, who were asked to return for additional hearings. Commission candidates from Romania and Hungary were already rejected by the EU Parliament in September.
The hearing process is set to close October 17th, with the EU Parliament voting on whether to approve or reject the Commission as a whole on October 23rd.
Source: PAP, euractiv.com
Today is the last day for eligible voters to add their names to the electoral rolls across Poland before the Sejm and Senate elections this Sunday, October 13th.
Voters are allowed to vote at any polling station in Poland as long as they have submitted a written request to be added to the electoral register in that area. Students, the homeless, and anyone else living outside their place of permanent residence are eligible, and may submit an application at their local municipal office (urząd gminy) or online at citizenship.gov.pl if they have already set up a trusted online profile (ePUAP).
Voters also have until Friday, October 11th, to obtain a certificate from the municipal office where they are registered attesting to their right to vote based on their inclusion in the electoral register. The certificate entitles them to vote at any polling place in Poland, abroad, or on a Polish seagoing vessel.
Source: PAP
NB TRICITY, the company which manages and operates the MEVO metropolitan bicycle system in Trójmiasto, is reportedly at risk of insolvency.
The company’s financial woes result from the higher-than-expected costs of launching the system as well as repeated delays in implementing the contract. NB TRICITY has already been fined nearly 1 million złoty by the Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area Authority (OMGGS) and risks additional penalties for delays in implementing Stage II.
The company has presented a restructuring plan to the OMGGS and is currently negotiating with creditors to enable them to continue with the MEVO project until the end of the contract in December 2025.
Only 30% of the target fleet of 4000 – roughly 1200 bikes – are currently available for rental, with users complaining that parking stations are often empty or bikes are unusable due to problems with battery life and maintenance.
While OMGGS has prepared a contingency plan in case NB TRICITY goes bankrupt, the focus remains on “ensuring that bicycles ride and that residents can use them,” according to OMGGS spokeswoman Alicja Mongird.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Thom Yorke, the enigmatic frontman of iconic alt-rock band Radiohead, has been confirmed as one of the headliners for next summer’s Open’er Festival.
York will be joined by his longtime producer and collaborator Nigel Godriche and visual artist Tariki Barri in support of his critically acclaimed solo album, “Anima,” which topped the Billboard Dance/Electronic charts earlier this year.
York joins American pop icon Taylor Swift as part of the confirmed lineup for the “largest, most diverse, and most popular music festival in Poland” taking place July 1-4, 2020 in Gdynia.
Early Bird tickets for the 19th edition of Open’er are already on sale. The full four-day pass costs 539 PLN (639 PLN with a campsite), a weekend pass is PLN 419 (489 PLN with campsite), and a one-day ticket is 299 PLN.
For more information or to purchase advance tickets, visit https://opener.pl/en/
RGEN News/EP
