Polish lower house speaker bids for top UN refugee post
Szymon Holownia, the speaker of the Sejm, lower house of the Polish parliament, has confirmed he has applied for the position of UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Holownia announced the news on Monday in a letter posted on Facebook. He wrote that he had submitted his application last Friday, "for the public recruitment process initiated by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres."
"Never before has a Pole held such a position in the UN structure, and I know the subject of humanitarian aid better than politics, as I have been involved in it for twice as long, developing my foundations globally," he wrote.
"These past two years (as Sejm speaker - PAP) have taught me how to build bonds between nations. I don't think anyone needs explaining how crucial it would be to add a Polish, and more broadly, an Eastern and Northern European perspective to this immense challenge."
He went on to express his gratitude for the "unequivocal support" he has received from the government as well as opposition-backed President Karol Nawrocki. He noted that they "engaged so deeply in this matter in recent days, activating personal contacts and our entire diplomatic machinery."
Holownia admitted that the chances "are not great" currently, explaining that "the UN is a complicated, unpredictable world." However, he added, "a week ago, when we started this process, there were no chances at all."
Pawel Szefernaker, Nawrocki's aide, told the private broadcaster Polsat News later on Monday that if there was a possibility of supporting the Polish candidate, the president will do so, "even the one with whom he disagrees on current Polish politics."
The UNHCR commissioner leads and coordinates international action to protect refugees, stateless people, and displaced communities, safeguarding their rights and well-being. (PAP)
aj/ at/ jos/
