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{{Short description|9th Prime Minister of Poland (born 1940)}}
{{Infobox Officeholder
{{Use British English|date=August 2010}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Jerzy Buzek | name = Jerzy Buzek
| honorific-suffix = ]
| image = Jerzy Buzek.jpg
| imagesize = | honorific_prefix = His Excellency
| smallimage = | image = Jerzy Buzek 2015.jpg
| caption = | caption = Buzek in 2015
| order = 28<sup>th</sup> ]<br /><small>13<sup>th</sup> of the ]</small> | office = ]
| 1blankname = {{nowrap|Deputy}}
| term_start = ] ]
| 1namedata = {{List collapsed|title=''See list''
| term_end =
|1=]
| vicepresident =
|2=]
| predecessor = ]
|3=]
| order2 = ]<br><small>9<sup>th</sup> ]</small>
|4=]
| term_start2 = ] ]
|5=]
| term_end2 = ] ]
|6=]
| vicepresident2 =
|7=]
| viceprimeminister2 = ], ], ], ]
|8=]
| deputy2 =
|9=]
| president2 = ]
|10=]
| primeminister2 =
|12=]
| predecessor2 = ]
|13=]
| successor2 = ]
|14=]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1940|07|3|df=yes}}
|15=]
| birth_place = ], ], now ]
}}
| term_start = 14 July 2009
| term_end = 17 January 2012
| predecessor = ]
| successor = ]
| office1 = ]
| president1 = ]
| 1blankname1 = {{nowrap|Deputy}}
| 1namedata1 = {{List collapsed|title=''See list''
|1=Longin Komołowski
|2=]
|3=]
|4=Janusz Steinhoff
}}
| term_start1 = 31 October 1997
| term_end1 = 19 October 2001
| predecessor1 = ]
| successor1 = ]
{{Collapsed infobox section begin|last=yes|Parliamentary offices
|titlestyle = border:1px dashed lightgrey;}}{{Infobox officeholder |embed=yes
|office2 = ]<br />for ]
|term_start2 = 20 July 2004
|term_end2 = 1 July 2024
|office3 = Member of the ]<br />for ]
|term_start3 = 21 October 1997
|term_end3 = 18 October 2001{{collapsed infobox section end}}
}}
| birth_name = Jerzy Karol Buzek
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1940|7|3|df=y}}
| birth_place = ], ] (now ])
| death_date = | death_date =
| death_place = | death_place =
| constituency = | party = ]
| otherparty = ]
| party = ] (part of ]),<br />]
| spouse = | spouse = Ludgarda Buzek
| profession = ] | children = ]
| religion = ] | education = ]
| signature = | signature = Jerzy Buzek signature.svg
| awards = ] ] ] ]
| footnotes =
}} }}
Professor '''Jerzy Buzek''' {{IPAr|pl|AUD|Pl-Jerzy Buzek.ogg|'|j|e|rz|y|-|'|b|u|z|e|k}} (born 3 July 1940) is a ] ], academic lecturer and ]. He was ] from 1997 to 2001 and has been a member of the ] since 13 June 2004. On 14 July 2009, he was elected as ]. He succeeded ].<ref name="BBCElectionPres"/> '''Jerzy Karol Buzek''' ({{IPAc-pl|AUD|Pl-Jerzy Buzek.ogg|'|j|e|rz|y|-|'|b|u|z|e|k}}; born 3 July 1940) is a ] ] and former ] from ]. He has served as ] from 1997 to 2001, since being elected to the ] in 2004, he served as ] between 2009 and 2012.<ref name="BBCElectionPres"/> He is married to Ludgarda Buzek<ref>{{cite web|last=Buzek|first=Ludgarda|title=BIP (Biuletyn Informacji Publicznej)|url=http://bip.slaskie.pl/index.php?grupa=8&identpodzial=49|access-date=2 December 2011}}</ref> and is the father of Polish actress ].

== Youth ==


== Early years ==
Jerzy Buzek was born on 3 July 1940 in what is now ] in the ]<ref>Smilovice (German: Smilowitz, Polish: Śmiłowice) village lies in the region historically known as ], more precisely the ] region. This territory was until 1920 part of ] (]), then from 1920 a part of ]. After the Polish invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1938, it was annexed by Poland, and after the 1939 German invasion of Poland it was annexed by Germany. After World War II it became again a part of Czechoslovakia. Since 1993 it has been part of the Czech Republic. Buzek hails from the ]. At the time of his birth, it was officially named Smilowitz and was part of ] of Germany.</ref>. At the time of his birth, it was officially named Smilowitz and was part of ] of Germany. He was born into the prominent Buzek family, which participated in Polish politics in the ] during the ]. The family was part of the Polish community in ].<ref name=zaolzie>{{cite news | first = Włodzimierz | last = Nowak | url = http://wyborcza.pl/1,75248,6792766,Nad_Betlejem__nad_Rola_kometa__Zaolzianska_saga_rodu.html | title = Nad Betlejem, nad Rolą kometa. Zaolziańska saga rodu Buzków | date = 2009-07-06 | work = ] | accessdate = 2009-07-14}}</ref> Buzek's father was an engineer. After the ], his family moved to ]. He is a ].
Jerzy Karol Buzek was born to a ] family on 3 July 1940 in ], ] (at the time part of ] and called ''Smilowitz''). He was born into the prominent Buzek family, which participated in Polish politics in the ] during the ]. The family was part of the ] in the ] region.<ref>{{cite news | first = Włodzimierz | last = Nowak | url = http://wyborcza.pl/1,75248,6792766,Nad_Betlejem__nad_Rola_kometa__Zaolzianska_saga_rodu.html | title = Nad Betlejem, nad Rolą kometa. Zaolziańska saga rodu Buzków | date = 6 July 2009 | work=] | access-date =14 July 2009}}</ref> Buzek's father was an engineer. After the ], his family moved to ]. He is a ].


== Professional career == == Professional career ==
In 1963 Jerzy Buzek graduated from the Mechanics-and-Energy Division of the ], specialising in ]. He became a scientist in the Chemical Engineering Institute of the ]. Since 1997 he has been a professor of technical science. He is also an honorary doctor of the universities in ] and ] among others.<ref>{{cite web|title=JERZY BUZEK|url=http://www.eppgroup.eu/mep/Jerzy-BUZEK|publisher=EPP Group in the EP|access-date=24 March 2017|archive-date=15 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190615164405/http://www2.eppgroup.eu/mep/Jerzy-BUZEK|url-status=dead}}</ref>


From 1997 to 2001, Buzek was a coalition ].
In 1963 Jerzy Buzek graduated from the Mechanics-and-Energy Division of the ] in ] specializing in ]. He became a scientist in the Chemical Engineering Institute of the ] in ]. Since 1997 he has been a professor of technical science. He is also an honorary doctor of the universities in ] and ].


In 1998 he became the first laureate of the Grzegorz Palka Award<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ligakrajowa.org.pl/nagroda_grzegorza_palki/1/offset=32/Nagroda-im-G-Palki.html |title=NAGRODA IM. G. PALKI |access-date=24 November 2019 |archive-date=6 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106175547/https://www.ligakrajowa.org.pl/nagroda_grzegorza_palki/1/offset=32/Nagroda-im-G-Palki.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and was nominated ''European of the Year'' by the European Union Business Chambers Forum.
From 1997 to 2001, Buzek was Prime Minister of Poland (see below). In 1998 he became a laureate of the Grzegorz Palka Award, was nominated the ''European of the Year'' by the European Union Business Chambers Forum and ''Man of the Year'' by a Polish political weekly, '']''.


In 1998 he was named 'Person of the Year' by the influential Polish political weekly '']''. He won the award for the second time in 2009. On receiving the award again, as President of the European Parliament, he stressed that he was the first winner to be honoured for his work beyond the borders of Poland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wiadomosci.wp.pl/kat,1342,title,Jerzy-Buzek-Czlowiekiem-Roku-tygodnika-Wprost,wid,11872962,wiadomosc_prasa.html?ticaid=1c0db |title=Jerzy Buzek Człowiekiem Roku tygodnika "Wprost" – Wiadomości – WP.PL |publisher=Wiadomosci.wp.pl |access-date=4 June 2011}}</ref>
After losing the parliamentary elections in 2001, he stepped back from Polish political life (although he was elected a member of the European Parliament in 2004) and focused more on his scientific work, becoming the prorector of ] in ] and professor in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the ] in ].


He was the first Prime Minister of the 3rd Republic of Poland to serve a full term.Jerzy Buzek was the first Lutheran Prime Minister in the history of Poland.
== Political career ==


After losing the parliamentary elections in 2001, he stepped back from political life and focused more on his scientific work, becoming the prorector of ] in ] and professor in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the ] in ].
In the 1980s Jerzy Buzek was an activist of the democratic ] movements, including the legal (1980–1981 and since 1989) and underground (1981–1989) ] trade union and political movement in ]. He was an active organizer of the trade union's regional and national underground authorities. He was also the chairman of the four national general meetings (1st, 4th, 5th and 6th) when the Solidarity movement was allowed to participate in the political process again.


His return to political life in 2004 saw him gain the largest popular vote in Poland as the member for ] to the ] standing for the ].
Jerzy Buzek was a member of the ] (Akcja Wyborcza Solidarność, AWS) and co-author of the AWS's economic program. After the ] he was elected to the ], the lower house of the Polish Parliament, and was soon appointed ] of Poland. In 1999 he became the chairman of the ] (Ruch Społeczny AWS) and in 2001 he became the Chairman of the Solidarity Electoral Action coalition.


Whilst ], on 30 March 2011, he was awarded an honorary fellowship of the ] at a meeting of the ] (EFCE) in ], Belgium.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tcetoday.com/latest%20news/2011/march/icheme%20honours%20european%20president.aspx |title=Sorry |publisher=Tcetoday.com |access-date=4 June 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
=== Jerzy Buzek's government ===


== Political career ==
Between the years 1997–2001 he was the Prime Minister of ], first of the right-centrist ]–] coalition government until 2001, and then of the rightist ] minority government. His cabinet's major achievements were four significant political and economic reforms: a new local government and administration division of Poland, reform of the pension system, reform of the educational system, and reform of the medical care system.<ref></ref> AWS was defeated in the ]. Buzek resigned as the chairman of AWS Social Movement, and was replaced by ].
{{Conservatism in Poland|Politicians}}
In the 1980s, Buzek was an activist of the ] movements, including the legal (1980–1981 and since 1989) and underground (1981–1989) ] and political movement in ]. He was an active organiser of the trade union's regional and national underground authorities. He was also the chairman of the four national general meetings (1st, 4th, 5th, and 6th) when the Solidarity movement was allowed to participate in the political process again.<ref name="Biography of the President of the E">{{cite news|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/former_ep_presidents/president-buzek/en/the_president/biography.html |title=Biography of the President of the European Parliament |access-date=24 November 2019}}</ref>

Jerzy Buzek was a member of the ] (AWS) and co-author of the AWS's economic program. After the ] he was elected to the ], the lower house of the Polish Parliament, and was soon appointed ]. In 1999 he became the chairman of the ] (Ruch Społeczny AWS) and in 2001 he became the Chairman of the Solidarity Electoral Action coalition.<ref name="Biography of the President of the E"/>

=== Jerzy Buzek's government ===
Between the years 1997–2001 he was the Prime Minister of Poland, first of the centre-right AWS–] coalition government until 2001, and then of the right-wing AWS minority government. His cabinet's major achievements were four significant political and economic reforms: a new local government and administration division of Poland, reform of the pension system, reform of the educational system, and reform of the medical care system.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bDx0Ak4xnOQC&q=jerzy+buzek+educational+pension+reform&pg=PA144 |title=Transition by Mario I. Bléjer, Marko Škreb |isbn=9780262025058 |access-date=4 June 2011|last1=Bléjer |first1=Mario I. |last2=Skreb |first2=Marko |year=2001 |publisher=MIT Press }}</ref> AWS was defeated in the ]. Buzek resigned as the chairman of AWS Social Movement and was replaced by ].


=== Polish Member of the European Parliament === === Polish Member of the European Parliament ===
On 13 June 2004, in the ], Jerzy Buzek was elected a ] (MEP) from the ], basing his candidacy only on the popularity of his name and on direct contact with the voters. He received a record number of votes, 173,389 (22.14% of the total votes in the region). His current party affiliation is with the ], which is a member of the ].


In the 2004–2009 European Parliament, he was a member of the ], an alternate member of the ], a member of the Delegation to the EU–] Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, and an alternate delegate for the delegation for relations with the countries of Central America. He served as rapporteur on the EU's 7th Framework Programme for Research and Development, a multibillion-euro spending program for the years 2007–2013.
On 13 June 2004, in the ], Jerzy Buzek was elected a ] (MEP) from the ], basing his candidacy only on the popularity of his name and on direct contact with the voters. He received a record number of votes, 173,389 (22.14% of the total votes in the region). His current party affiliation is with the ], the governing party in Poland, which is a member of the ].


On 7 June 2009, in the ], Buzek was re-elected as a Member of the ] from the ] constituency. Just as in the previous election, Buzek received a record number of votes in Poland: 393,117 (over 42% of the total votes in the district). On 12 September 2018, he voted in favor of approving the controversial ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//NONSGML+PV+20180912+RES-RCV+DOC+PDF+V0//EN|title=Result of roll-call votes|website=europarl.europa.eu|access-date=14 September 2018}}</ref>
In the 2004-2009 European Parliament, he was a member of the ], an alternate member of the ], a member of the Delegation to the ]–] Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, and an alternate delegate for the delegation for relations with the countries of Central America. He served as rapporteur on the EU's 7th Framework Programme for Research and Development, a multi-billion euro spending programme for the years 2007-2013.


In the 2014–2019 European Parliament he was the Chair of the ], responsible for industrial policy, EU research and innovation policy, space policy, energy policy and the application of new technologies. In the 2014–2019 European Parliament he remained a regular member of the Committee.
On 7 June 2009, in the ], Buzek was re-elected as a Member of the ] from the ] constituency. Just as in the previous election, Buzek received a record number of votes in Poland: 393,117 (over 42% of the total votes in the district).


=== President of the European Parliament === === President of the European Parliament ===
], at an ] summit in September 2010]]
On 14 July 2009, Buzek was elected ] with 555 votes of the 644 votes cast, the largest majority ever,<ref>{{cite web |author=cs |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/president/view/en/the_president/biography.html |title=Jerzy Buzek – Biography of the President of the European Parliament : Jerzy Buzek |publisher=Europa (web portal) |access-date=4 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527151015/http://www.europarl.europa.eu/president/view/en/the_president/biography.html |archive-date=27 May 2011 }}</ref> becoming the first person from the former ] and the first former Prime Minister since ] to gain that position.<ref name="BBCElectionPres">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8148729.stm|title=Euro parliament elects new leader |date=14 July 2009|publisher=BBC News |access-date=14 July 2009}}</ref> He succeeded the German ] MEP, ].<ref name="BBCElectionPres"/> He pledged to make human rights and the promotion of the Eastern partnership two of his priorities during his term of office, which would last two and a half years, due to a political deal, Social Democrat MEP ] who take over after that.<ref name="BBCElectionPres"/>{{Failed verification|date=November 2011}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090714-703860.html |title=UPDATE: EU Parliament Elects Ex-Polish PM Buzek As President * Article |last=Henson |first=Carolyn |date=14 July 2009 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=14 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090719080729/http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090714-703860.html |archive-date=19 July 2009 }}</ref>


In his inaugural address in Strasbourg, Buzek stated that among the greatest challenges faced by the European parliament were the economic crisis, European solidarity, human rights, and reform within the Parliament itself.<ref>Buzek, Jerzy: "Inaugural speech by Jerzy Buzek following his election as President of the European Parliament", EP Press Release, 14 July 2009: , Retrieved: 2011-12-06</ref> Buzek also stated he would be committed to reform of the European economy, tackling rising unemployment, energy security, and climate change, strengthening European solidarity and integration and promoting equal opportunities for women. However, Buzek noted that the ] would be a prerequisite to any change "(so that the Union can be) well-organised and effective".<ref>Buzek, Jerzy. "Inaugural speech by Jerzy Buzek following his election as President of the European Parliament", 14 July 2009 </ref>
On 14 July 2009, Buzek was elected ] with 555 votes, becoming the first person from the former ] to gain that position.<ref name="BBCElectionPres">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8148729.stm|title=Euro parliament elects new leader |date=2009-07-14|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> He succeeded the German ] MEP, ].<ref name="BBCElectionPres"/> He has pledged to make ] and the promotion of the Eastern partnership two of his priority during his term of office, which will last two and a half years until, due to a political deal, Social Democrat MEP ] will take over.<ref name="BBCElectionPres"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090714-703860.html|title=UPDATE: EU Parliament Elects Ex-Polish PM Buzek As President * Article|last=Henson|first=Carolyn|date=2009-07-14|publisher=Wall Street Journal|accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> The start of his campaign to become President was marked by some controversy, after he said in a press conference that English, French, and Polish are "the most important languages" of the EU, though he later contended that he meant they are "among the best-known" languages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theparliament.com/no_cache/latestnews/news-article/newsarticle/buzek-overcomes-gaffe-and-accepts-eu-parliament-president-nomination/|title=Buzek overcomes gaffe and accepts EU parliament president nomination|last=Banks|first=Martin|date=2009-07-07|publisher=theParliament.com|accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref>


On 8 December 2009 Buzek was awarded by the Ministerpräsident of ], Dr. ], the annual "Staatspreis award". The prize was awarded in honor of his lifetime achievements and highlighted the European Parliament as a "motor of integration." Affirming his commitment to the Eastern Partnership and "those who do not have the possibility to participate in our European integration project", Buzek announced that the prize money would be donated to the ] (EHU), A Belarusian university in exile in Vilnius.<ref>Buzek, Jerzy: "President Buzek to receive prestigious prize from North Rhine-Westphalia – prize money to be donated to Belarusian University in exile", EP press release, 7 December 2009: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/president/de-en/press/press_release/2009/2009-November/press_release-2009-November-33.html;jsessionid=65C948AAA96808C44D5CB45A18E2F8C5, Retrieved: 2011-12-14</ref>
==Career Timeline==

The ], which came into force on 1 December 2009 shortly after Buzek assumed office, brought a conclusion to nearly a decade of internal discussions and greatly boosted the democratic powers of the European Parliament. From very early on Buzek has been a vocal supporter of the treaty as part of a wider push for greater political integration in Europe.<ref>Buzek, Jerzy: "President Jerzy Buzek's speech at commemorative event marking the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon", 1 Dec 2009, http://www.europarl.europa.eu/president/en/press/speeches/sp-2009/sp-2009-November/speeches-2009-November-7.html, Retrieved: 2011-12-06</ref> The rise in legislative powers under the treaty in fact represents almost a doubling in power.<ref name="europarl.europa.eu"> Retrieved: 2011-12-06.</ref> Since its introduction Parliament has equal rights with the ] over 40 new fields within the "co-decision" procedure, such as agriculture, energy security, immigration, justice and home affairs, health and structural funds.<ref name="europarl.europa.eu"/>

In late 2011 Buzek's presidency also endorsed the ']' legislation on economic governance to tackle the growing Eurozone crisis. This was a follow-up on the earlier ] and the ] intended as a means of optimising macroeconomic surveillance in Europe and avoiding crises in the eurozone in the future.<ref>eurotribune.eu, 2011-09-28: "The European Parliament adopts "six-pack" economic governance legislative package", http://www.eurotribune.eu/index.default.php/?p=20642, Retrieved: 2011-12-09</ref> Welcoming the parliament's adoption of the legislation on 28 October 2011, Buzek stated: "The adoption of the six-pack by the whole European Parliament is good news for the European Union. We have a new economic rule-book. We have developed a powerful and resistant armour against any future crises. With the adoption of the six-pack, the EU significantly strengthens its budget discipline and moves towards true economic governance. We can not turn the clock back, but the package will ensure that Member States budgets will be credible."<ref> EP Press Release (Retrieved: 2011-12-09).</ref>

One of Buzek's major challenges as EP president was dealing with the allegations of corruption, illegal lobbying and mismanagement of public funds of which several members of the European Parliament have been accused in the wake of a cash-for-amendments scandal. On 7 July 2011, the ] approved the first-ever code of conduct for MEPs and it was officially endorsed by the parliament on 1 December 2011.<ref>Pop, Valentina: "MEPs hope to restore public trust with ethics code", http://euobserver.com/18/114475, Retrieved 7 December 2011</ref> The code sets out rules and principles that MEPs should follow in their dealings with outside parties in order to avoid conflicts of interest. "Increased powers of the European Parliament must be accompanied by an increased transparency and accountability on behalf of its members" Buzek has said of the code.<ref> Retrieved 7 December 2011.</ref> According to the code, MEPs have to provide clear declarations of their paid activities outside parliament, as well as the salary they receive. They also have to declare all other activities which might constitute a conflict of interest. The code contains an explicit ban on MEPs receiving payments or other rewards in exchange for influencing parliamentary decisions. It also sets out clear rules on the acceptance of gifts and on the issue of former MEPs working as ].<ref> Retrieved 7 December 2011.</ref>

<gallery>
File:XX Economic Forum 08.jpg|Jerzy Buzek with President of the European Commission ] and Polish President ]
File:Barroso-Buzek_EPP_Summit.jpg|Jerzy Buzek and ] during an ] Summit in 2009
File:Buzek-van_rompuy-_barroso.jpg|European Big Three; Jerzy Buzek, ], ]
File:Medvedev and Jerzy Buzek.jpg|Jerzy Buzek with Russian President ]
File:Flickr - europeanpeoplesparty - EPP Summit 29 October 2009 (12).jpg|Jerzy Buzek with ] ]
File:Flickr - europeanpeoplesparty - EPP Sumiit 29 October 2009 (6).jpg|Jerzy Buzek with ]
File:Jerzy Buzek, Paweł Rogaliński (2012).jpg|Jerzy Buzek with Polish journalist ]
File:EPP Summit Helsinki 4 March 2011 (18).jpg|Jerzy Buzek with ]
File:Flickr - europeanpeoplesparty - EPP Congress Bonn (64).jpg|Jerzy Buzek with ]
File:Ontvangst Buzek in het Torentje.jpg|Jerzy Buzek with ] ]
</gallery>

==Career timeline==


===Education=== ===Education===
* from 1997 to 2001: Professor of technical sciences, actively engaged in public work, Prime Minister of Poland * From 1997 to 2001: Professor of technical sciences, actively engaged in public work, Prime Minister of Poland;
* Honorary doctorates of the Universities of Dortmund, Seoul, Süleyman Demirel University (Isparta) * Honorary doctorates of the Universities of Dortmund, Seoul, Süleyman Demirel University (Isparta);
* University lecturer of long standing at Opole, Gliwice and Częstochowa, researcher at the Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences in ] * University lecturer of long standing at Opole, Gliwice and Częstochowa, researcher at the Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences in ];
* 1972: Research stay, on a ] scholarship, at the ] * 1972: Research stay, on a ] scholarship, at the University of Cambridge.


===Career=== ===Career===
* 1992–1997: Representative of Poland at the International Energy Agency – Programme of Greenhouse Gas Effect * 1992–1997: Representative of Poland at the International Energy Agency – Programme of Greenhouse Gas Effect;
* 1996: Organiser and chairman of an international network of 19 institutions working on energy and environmental protection * 1996: Organiser and chairman of an international network of 19 institutions working on energy and environmental protection;
* Author of some 200 research papers, over a dozen rationalisations and three ] in the fields of environmental protection, power and process engineering * Author of some 200 research papers, over a dozen rationalisations and three patents in the fields of environmental protection, power and process engineering;
* 1981: Member of the independent, self-governing trade union 'NSZZ Solidarność', Chairman of the I National Congress of Delegates of 'Solidarność' in * 1981: Member of the independent, self-governing trade union 'NSZZ Solidarność', Chairman of the I National Congress of Delegates of 'Solidarność';
* 1981: Active in the Solidarność underground structure after * 1981: Active in the Solidarność underground structure;
* 1997: Elected as a Member of the Polish Parliament in * 1997: Elected as a Member of the Polish Parliament;
* As Prime Minister, in 1999, took Poland into ] and prepared the country for integration into the European Union (including decentralisation of the State – consolidation of the role of local self-government) * As Prime Minister, in 1999, took Poland into ] and prepared the country for integration into the European Union (including decentralisation of the State – consolidation of the role of local self-government);
* In 1998, began accession negotiations * In 1998, began accession negotiations;
* 1999: Represented the Social Movement of Solidarity Electoral Action (AWS) in the PPE–DE * 1999: Represented the Social Movement of ] (Akcja Wyborcza Solidarność) in the PPE–DE;
* 1999: Established the annual Pro Publico Bono prize for the best national civic initiatives * 1999: Established the annual Pro Publico Bono prize for the best national civic initiatives;
* Set up the Family Foundation together with his wife (1998), having gained greater understanding of the meaning of help for the needy after their experiences with the battle for the life of their own child * Set up the Family Foundation together with his wife (1998), having gained greater understanding of the meaning of help for the needy after their experiences with the battle for the life of their own child.
* 2012: Member of the International Honorary Council<ref>{{cite web |url=http://diplomats.pl/en/component/content/article/463.html |title=Europejska Akademia Dyplomacji :: European Academy of Diplomacy :: Diplomats.pl :: DYPLOMACJA - Professor Jerzy Buzek |access-date=2012-09-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202140005/http://diplomats.pl/en/component/content/article/463.html |archive-date=2 February 2014 }}</ref> of the European Academy of Diplomacy.

==Personal life==
He is a supporter of ].<ref>{{cite web| url =https://slaskie.naszemiasto.pl/wywiad-z-jerzym-buzkiem-kopanie-pilki-na-podworku-w/ar/c2-808616 |language = pl |title=Wywiad z Jerzym Buzkiem. Kopanie piłki na podwórku w Chorzowie było moją specjalnością sportową|date = 8 March 2011 | access-date = 2 September 2021}}</ref>

== Honours and awards ==
* ] Knight Grand Cross of the ] (Kingdom of Spain, 11 May 2001).<ref></ref>
* In 2010, he received Collier award of the Fondation du Mérite européen from ] on the occasion of 40th anniversary of the Fondation for his role as President of the ]
*{{flag|European Union}}:In 2020, he received the Outstanding Achievement Award at The Parliament Magazine's MEP Awards.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article/mep-awards-2020-reaction-and-comment-from-our-winners|title=MEP Awards 2020: Reaction and comment from our winners|last=Johnson|first=Brian|date=2 December 2020|work=]|access-date=8 January 2021}}</ref>


== Notes == == Notes ==
{{reflist}} {{Reflist}}


== External links == == External links ==
{{commonscat|Jerzy Buzek}} {{Commons category|Jerzy Buzek}}
* {{MEP}}
* {{EP MEP info/6th term|28269|of Jerzy Buzek}}
* {{Facebook user|jerzybuzek}}
* {{Declaration of financial interests of the 6th term|28269_20-07-2004.PDF|pl}}
* {{Twitter}}


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Latest revision as of 10:15, 13 November 2024

9th Prime Minister of Poland (born 1940)

His ExcellencyJerzy BuzekMEP
Buzek in 2015
President of the European Parliament
In office
14 July 2009 – 17 January 2012
Deputy See list
Preceded byHans-Gert Pöttering
Succeeded byMartin Schulz
Prime Minister of Poland
In office
31 October 1997 – 19 October 2001
PresidentAleksander Kwaśniewski
Deputy See list
Preceded byWłodzimierz Cimoszewicz
Succeeded byLeszek Miller
Parliamentary offices
Member of the European Parliament
for Poland
In office
20 July 2004 – 1 July 2024
Member of the Sejm
for Warsaw I
In office
21 October 1997 – 18 October 2001
Personal details
BornJerzy Karol Buzek
(1940-07-03) 3 July 1940 (age 84)
Smilowitz, Nazi Germany (now Czech Republic)
Political partyCivic Platform
Other political
affiliations
European People's Party
SpouseLudgarda Buzek
ChildrenAgata
EducationSilesian University of Technology
AwardsOrder of the White Eagle (Poland) Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana Order of Isabella the Catholic
Signature

Jerzy Karol Buzek ( ; born 3 July 1940) is a Polish politician and former Member of the European Parliament from Poland. He has served as Prime Minister of Poland from 1997 to 2001, since being elected to the European Parliament in 2004, he served as President of the European Parliament between 2009 and 2012. He is married to Ludgarda Buzek and is the father of Polish actress Agata Buzek.

Early years

Jerzy Karol Buzek was born to a Lutheran family on 3 July 1940 in Smilovice, Czechoslovakia (at the time part of Nazi Germany and called Smilowitz). He was born into the prominent Buzek family, which participated in Polish politics in the Second Polish Republic during the interbellum. The family was part of the Polish community in the Trans-Olza region. Buzek's father was an engineer. After the Second World War, his family moved to Chorzów. He is a Lutheran.

Professional career

In 1963 Jerzy Buzek graduated from the Mechanics-and-Energy Division of the Silesian University of Technology, specialising in chemical engineering. He became a scientist in the Chemical Engineering Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Since 1997 he has been a professor of technical science. He is also an honorary doctor of the universities in Seoul and Dortmund among others.

From 1997 to 2001, Buzek was a coalition Prime Minister of Poland.

In 1998 he became the first laureate of the Grzegorz Palka Award and was nominated European of the Year by the European Union Business Chambers Forum.

In 1998 he was named 'Person of the Year' by the influential Polish political weekly Wprost. He won the award for the second time in 2009. On receiving the award again, as President of the European Parliament, he stressed that he was the first winner to be honoured for his work beyond the borders of Poland.

He was the first Prime Minister of the 3rd Republic of Poland to serve a full term.Jerzy Buzek was the first Lutheran Prime Minister in the history of Poland.

After losing the parliamentary elections in 2001, he stepped back from political life and focused more on his scientific work, becoming the prorector of Akademia Polonijna in Częstochowa and professor in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the Opole University of Technology in Opole.

His return to political life in 2004 saw him gain the largest popular vote in Poland as the member for Katowice to the European Parliament standing for the Civic Platform.

Whilst President of the European Parliament, on 30 March 2011, he was awarded an honorary fellowship of the Institution of Chemical Engineers at a meeting of the European Federation of Chemical Engineering (EFCE) in Brussels, Belgium.

Political career

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In the 1980s, Buzek was an activist of the anti-communist movements, including the legal (1980–1981 and since 1989) and underground (1981–1989) Solidarity trade union and political movement in communist Poland. He was an active organiser of the trade union's regional and national underground authorities. He was also the chairman of the four national general meetings (1st, 4th, 5th, and 6th) when the Solidarity movement was allowed to participate in the political process again.

Jerzy Buzek was a member of the Solidarity Electoral Action (AWS) and co-author of the AWS's economic program. After the 1997 elections he was elected to the Sejm, the lower house of the Polish Parliament, and was soon appointed Prime Minister of Poland. In 1999 he became the chairman of the AWS Social Movement (Ruch Społeczny AWS) and in 2001 he became the Chairman of the Solidarity Electoral Action coalition.

Jerzy Buzek's government

Between the years 1997–2001 he was the Prime Minister of Poland, first of the centre-right AWS–Freedom Union coalition government until 2001, and then of the right-wing AWS minority government. His cabinet's major achievements were four significant political and economic reforms: a new local government and administration division of Poland, reform of the pension system, reform of the educational system, and reform of the medical care system. AWS was defeated in the 2001 Polish parliamentary election. Buzek resigned as the chairman of AWS Social Movement and was replaced by Mieczysław Janowski.

Polish Member of the European Parliament

On 13 June 2004, in the European Parliament election, 2004, Jerzy Buzek was elected a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from the Silesian Voivodeship, basing his candidacy only on the popularity of his name and on direct contact with the voters. He received a record number of votes, 173,389 (22.14% of the total votes in the region). His current party affiliation is with the Civic Platform, which is a member of the European People's Party.

In the 2004–2009 European Parliament, he was a member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, an alternate member of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, a member of the Delegation to the EU–Ukraine Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, and an alternate delegate for the delegation for relations with the countries of Central America. He served as rapporteur on the EU's 7th Framework Programme for Research and Development, a multibillion-euro spending program for the years 2007–2013.

On 7 June 2009, in the European Parliament election, 2009, Buzek was re-elected as a Member of the European Parliament from the Silesian Voivodeship constituency. Just as in the previous election, Buzek received a record number of votes in Poland: 393,117 (over 42% of the total votes in the district). On 12 September 2018, he voted in favor of approving the controversial Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market.

In the 2014–2019 European Parliament he was the Chair of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, responsible for industrial policy, EU research and innovation policy, space policy, energy policy and the application of new technologies. In the 2014–2019 European Parliament he remained a regular member of the Committee.

President of the European Parliament

Jerzy Buzek with Viktor Orbán, at an EPP summit in September 2010

On 14 July 2009, Buzek was elected President of the European Parliament with 555 votes of the 644 votes cast, the largest majority ever, becoming the first person from the former Eastern Bloc and the first former Prime Minister since Pierre Pflimlin to gain that position. He succeeded the German Christian Democrat MEP, Hans-Gert Pöttering. He pledged to make human rights and the promotion of the Eastern partnership two of his priorities during his term of office, which would last two and a half years, due to a political deal, Social Democrat MEP Martin Schulz who take over after that.

In his inaugural address in Strasbourg, Buzek stated that among the greatest challenges faced by the European parliament were the economic crisis, European solidarity, human rights, and reform within the Parliament itself. Buzek also stated he would be committed to reform of the European economy, tackling rising unemployment, energy security, and climate change, strengthening European solidarity and integration and promoting equal opportunities for women. However, Buzek noted that the Lisbon Treaty would be a prerequisite to any change "(so that the Union can be) well-organised and effective".

On 8 December 2009 Buzek was awarded by the Ministerpräsident of North Rhine-Westphalia, Dr. Jürgen Rüttgers, the annual "Staatspreis award". The prize was awarded in honor of his lifetime achievements and highlighted the European Parliament as a "motor of integration." Affirming his commitment to the Eastern Partnership and "those who do not have the possibility to participate in our European integration project", Buzek announced that the prize money would be donated to the European Humanities University (EHU), A Belarusian university in exile in Vilnius.

The Lisbon Treaty, which came into force on 1 December 2009 shortly after Buzek assumed office, brought a conclusion to nearly a decade of internal discussions and greatly boosted the democratic powers of the European Parliament. From very early on Buzek has been a vocal supporter of the treaty as part of a wider push for greater political integration in Europe. The rise in legislative powers under the treaty in fact represents almost a doubling in power. Since its introduction Parliament has equal rights with the Council of Ministers over 40 new fields within the "co-decision" procedure, such as agriculture, energy security, immigration, justice and home affairs, health and structural funds.

In late 2011 Buzek's presidency also endorsed the 'Sixpack' legislation on economic governance to tackle the growing Eurozone crisis. This was a follow-up on the earlier Stability and Growth Pact and the Euro Plus Pact intended as a means of optimising macroeconomic surveillance in Europe and avoiding crises in the eurozone in the future. Welcoming the parliament's adoption of the legislation on 28 October 2011, Buzek stated: "The adoption of the six-pack by the whole European Parliament is good news for the European Union. We have a new economic rule-book. We have developed a powerful and resistant armour against any future crises. With the adoption of the six-pack, the EU significantly strengthens its budget discipline and moves towards true economic governance. We can not turn the clock back, but the package will ensure that Member States budgets will be credible."

One of Buzek's major challenges as EP president was dealing with the allegations of corruption, illegal lobbying and mismanagement of public funds of which several members of the European Parliament have been accused in the wake of a cash-for-amendments scandal. On 7 July 2011, the Conference of Presidents approved the first-ever code of conduct for MEPs and it was officially endorsed by the parliament on 1 December 2011. The code sets out rules and principles that MEPs should follow in their dealings with outside parties in order to avoid conflicts of interest. "Increased powers of the European Parliament must be accompanied by an increased transparency and accountability on behalf of its members" Buzek has said of the code. According to the code, MEPs have to provide clear declarations of their paid activities outside parliament, as well as the salary they receive. They also have to declare all other activities which might constitute a conflict of interest. The code contains an explicit ban on MEPs receiving payments or other rewards in exchange for influencing parliamentary decisions. It also sets out clear rules on the acceptance of gifts and on the issue of former MEPs working as lobbyists.

Career timeline

Education

  • From 1997 to 2001: Professor of technical sciences, actively engaged in public work, Prime Minister of Poland;
  • Honorary doctorates of the Universities of Dortmund, Seoul, Süleyman Demirel University (Isparta);
  • University lecturer of long standing at Opole, Gliwice and Częstochowa, researcher at the Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Gliwice;
  • 1972: Research stay, on a British Council scholarship, at the University of Cambridge.

Career

  • 1992–1997: Representative of Poland at the International Energy Agency – Programme of Greenhouse Gas Effect;
  • 1996: Organiser and chairman of an international network of 19 institutions working on energy and environmental protection;
  • Author of some 200 research papers, over a dozen rationalisations and three patents in the fields of environmental protection, power and process engineering;
  • 1981: Member of the independent, self-governing trade union 'NSZZ Solidarność', Chairman of the I National Congress of Delegates of 'Solidarność';
  • 1981: Active in the Solidarność underground structure;
  • 1997: Elected as a Member of the Polish Parliament;
  • As Prime Minister, in 1999, took Poland into NATO and prepared the country for integration into the European Union (including decentralisation of the State – consolidation of the role of local self-government);
  • In 1998, began accession negotiations;
  • 1999: Represented the Social Movement of Solidarity Electoral Action (Akcja Wyborcza Solidarność) in the PPE–DE;
  • 1999: Established the annual Pro Publico Bono prize for the best national civic initiatives;
  • Set up the Family Foundation together with his wife (1998), having gained greater understanding of the meaning of help for the needy after their experiences with the battle for the life of their own child.
  • 2012: Member of the International Honorary Council of the European Academy of Diplomacy.

Personal life

He is a supporter of Ruch Chorzów.

Honours and awards

  • Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (Kingdom of Spain, 11 May 2001).
  • In 2010, he received Collier award of the Fondation du Mérite européen from Jacques Santer on the occasion of 40th anniversary of the Fondation for his role as President of the European Parliament
  •  European Union:In 2020, he received the Outstanding Achievement Award at The Parliament Magazine's MEP Awards.

Notes

  1. ^ "Euro parliament elects new leader". BBC News. 14 July 2009. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  2. Buzek, Ludgarda. "BIP (Biuletyn Informacji Publicznej)". Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  3. Nowak, Włodzimierz (6 July 2009). "Nad Betlejem, nad Rolą kometa. Zaolziańska saga rodu Buzków". Gazeta Wyborcza. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  4. "JERZY BUZEK". EPP Group in the EP. Archived from the original on 15 June 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  5. "NAGRODA IM. G. PALKI". Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  6. "Jerzy Buzek Człowiekiem Roku tygodnika "Wprost" – Wiadomości – WP.PL". Wiadomosci.wp.pl. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  7. "Sorry". Tcetoday.com. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  8. ^ "Biography of the President of the European Parliament". Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  9. Bléjer, Mario I.; Skreb, Marko (2001). Transition by Mario I. Bléjer, Marko Škreb. MIT Press. ISBN 9780262025058. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  10. "Result of roll-call votes". europarl.europa.eu. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  11. cs. "Jerzy Buzek – Biography of the President of the European Parliament : Jerzy Buzek". Europa (web portal). Archived from the original on 27 May 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  12. Henson, Carolyn (14 July 2009). "UPDATE: EU Parliament Elects Ex-Polish PM Buzek As President * Article". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 19 July 2009. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  13. Buzek, Jerzy: "Inaugural speech by Jerzy Buzek following his election as President of the European Parliament", EP Press Release, 14 July 2009: , Retrieved: 2011-12-06
  14. Buzek, Jerzy. "Inaugural speech by Jerzy Buzek following his election as President of the European Parliament", 14 July 2009
  15. Buzek, Jerzy: "President Buzek to receive prestigious prize from North Rhine-Westphalia – prize money to be donated to Belarusian University in exile", EP press release, 7 December 2009: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/president/de-en/press/press_release/2009/2009-November/press_release-2009-November-33.html;jsessionid=65C948AAA96808C44D5CB45A18E2F8C5, Retrieved: 2011-12-14
  16. Buzek, Jerzy: "President Jerzy Buzek's speech at commemorative event marking the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon", 1 Dec 2009, http://www.europarl.europa.eu/president/en/press/speeches/sp-2009/sp-2009-November/speeches-2009-November-7.html, Retrieved: 2011-12-06
  17. ^ European Parliament & The Lisbon Treaty Retrieved: 2011-12-06.
  18. eurotribune.eu, 2011-09-28: "The European Parliament adopts "six-pack" economic governance legislative package", http://www.eurotribune.eu/index.default.php/?p=20642, Retrieved: 2011-12-09
  19. Buzek, Jerzy: "Six-pack on economic governance adopted" EP Press Release (Retrieved: 2011-12-09).
  20. Pop, Valentina: "MEPs hope to restore public trust with ethics code", http://euobserver.com/18/114475, Retrieved 7 December 2011
  21. Buzek, Jerzy: "Press Release – Buzek welcomes adoption of Code of Conduct for MEPs" Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  22. "New code of conduct for MEPs approved" Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  23. "Europejska Akademia Dyplomacji :: European Academy of Diplomacy :: Diplomats.pl :: DYPLOMACJA - Professor Jerzy Buzek". Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  24. "Wywiad z Jerzym Buzkiem. Kopanie piłki na podwórku w Chorzowie było moją specjalnością sportową" (in Polish). 8 March 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  25. Boletín Oficial del Estado
  26. Johnson, Brian (2 December 2020). "MEP Awards 2020: Reaction and comment from our winners". The Parliament Magazine. Retrieved 8 January 2021.

External links

Political offices
Preceded byWłodzimierz Cimoszewicz Prime Minister of Poland
1997–2001
Succeeded byLeszek Miller
Preceded byHans-Gert Pöttering President of the European Parliament
2009–2012
Succeeded byMartin Schulz
Academic offices
Preceded byYves Leterme Invocation Speaker of the College of Europe
2009
Succeeded byAngela Merkel
European Union Presidents of the European Parliament
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