Jerzy Buzek is a Member of the European Parliament, working in the parliamentary committees on Foreign Affairs as well as on Industry, Research and Energy. On 14 July 2009, he was elected the President of the European Parliament with the biggest majority of any EP President since the first direct elections in 1979. He was the first EP President from one of the EU’s 2004 enlargement Member States.
During his mandate, he presided over the transition from the Nice to the Lisbon Treaty, playing a key role in the finalization of the ratification process. He was also very active on the energy front, launching together with Jacques Delors the initiative of a European Energy Community aimed at strengthening legal certainty and energy cooperation within and outside the EU.
From 1997 to 2001, Jerzy Buzek has been Prime Minister of Poland, introducing sweeping reforms in pensions, healthcare, local and regional administration, education and the mining sectors. During his government, Poland acceded to NATO and made key-steps towards EU membership.
A chemical engineer by formation, Buzek joined the Solidarność movement from its early days, becoming the Chair of the Works Committee, and later Chairman of the fourth, fifth and sixth national Congresses.