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Elzbieta Ewa BienkowskaPolish politician, civil service official
Date of Birth: 04.02.1964
Country:  Poland |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Public Service Career
- Regional Development Director
- Deputy Governor and Vice President
- Minister for Regional Development
- Senator and Deputy Prime Minister
- European Commissioner
- Personal Life
Early Life and Education
Elżbieta Bieńkowska, a Polish politician and civil servant, was born in Sosnowiec, Poland. In 1982, she graduated from High School No. IV Stanisław Staszic in Sosnowiec. She then pursued higher education at the Jagiellonian University, where she specialized in Iranian studies. In 1988, she earned a degree in philology from the university's Eastern Department.
Her academic journey continued with a degree at the National School of Public Administration (1996) and a postgraduate diploma from the Warsaw School of Economics (1998).
Public Service Career
Bieńkowska's career in public service began with practical management and implementation of EU regional policy funding programs. She advocated for decentralized governance, including regional policy management in Poland.
Regional Development Director
Bieńkowska served as Director of Regional Development in the Silesian Voivodeship, coordinating regional innovation and development strategies. She led teams responsible for preparing and negotiating regional operational programs, securing funding for the region.
Deputy Governor and Vice President
In the Silesian Voivodeship, Bieńkowska held various positions, including Deputy Governor, responsible for the region's finances and economy. She also chaired the supervisory board of the Silesian Regional Development Agency.
Minister for Regional Development
On November 16, 2007, Bieńkowska was appointed Minister for Regional Development in the first government of Donald Tusk. She continued to hold this position in subsequent governments. Her contributions included overseeing regional development policies, infrastructure projects, and the implementation of EU funds.
Senator and Deputy Prime Minister
Following the 2011 parliamentary elections, Bieńkowska was elected as an independent candidate to the Polish Senate but later joined the Civic Platform party. She also served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Development from 2013 to 2014.
European Commissioner
In 2014, Bieńkowska was appointed European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services by Jean-Claude Juncker. She took office on November 1, 2014, and served until 2019. As commissioner, she focused on promoting economic growth and fostering innovation within the European Union.
