The government has extended protections for companies considered vital to state security through the end of 2024. Yet PKP Energetyka, now operating as PGE Energetyka Kolejowa, was not included on the updated list. A former minister, Jacek Sasin, noted the situation and asked whether there might be plans to sell the company again after it was previously returned to national control.
Changes to the list of protected companies
It is useful to recall that the March 2023 regulation defined the roster of protected firms and the authorities responsible for oversight. The list included Baltchem, Centrum Rozwojowo implementation Telesystem-Mesko, Emitel, Gaspol, Grupa Azoty, HAWE TELEKOM in restructuring, KGHM Polska Miedź SA, Oktan Energy & V/L Service, Orange Polska, PKP Energetyka, Polkomentel, Polski Koncern Naftowy ORLEN, Rafineria Gdańska, Stoen Operator, Tauron Polska Energia, TK Telekom and UNIMOT.
In the regulation adopted by the government led by Prime Minister Tusk, protection was extended to December 31, 2024, with three changes to the list. According to Rzeczpospolita, the modifications affected UNIMOT and added Alpetrol, a distributor of liquid LPG, to protected status; PKP Energetyka was removed and is currently known as PGE Energetyka Kolejowa.
It was noted that PGE Energetyka Kolejowa SA faced changes in ownership, specifically the acquisition of control by PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna SA, a company in which the Ministry of Finance holds a controlling stake. With the ministry owning 57.4 percent of the Polish energy group, the question arose as to whether the interests of this firm could be adequately safeguarded under the protection framework.
– this is what the reporting indicates.
PKP Energetyka entered foreign ownership back in 2015 during the government formed by the Civic Platform and the Polish People’s Party. It was subsequently returned to Polish ownership thanks to policy actions of the Law and Justice government.
Sasin: Could the sale resume?
Jacek Sasin, the former Minister of State Assets, voiced concerns about the direction of the current administration. He argued that the company had been sold once and had been brought back into Polish hands, yet it was no longer on the protected list. He warned against a new sale, saying that it would be unacceptable for the public interest.
– emphasized the Law and Justice politician.
Additional commentary connected with coverage from various outlets underscores the ongoing debate about state control and strategic assets. In related discussions, observers noted the recent transactions affecting companies linked to PKP Energetyka and the broader implications for national ownership of critical infrastructure.
— Important updates about PGE and the company that controls PKP Energetyka.
— Completion of negotiations around PKP Energetyka and the implications for Poland’s energy sector.
– Reflective commentary on how past administrations influenced asset ownership, and the current government’s stance on repolonization and safeguarding strategic firms.
– A discussion about new leadership and policy directions related to state assets and their role in national security.
— Acknowledgments of past missteps and a call for stronger national control over critical enterprises.
/pkt/Twitter/RP.pl
Note: This overview is based on public reporting and policy summaries available in the public domain and reflects ongoing debates about state asset protection and ownership in Poland.