Polish diplomat Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski reports that major countries are prepared to support Szymon Hołownia for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, a post he has applied to.
Support from Very Important Countries
Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski, a former Polish minister, confirmed that Szymon Hołownia is among the candidates considered for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. He told the interviewer that Hołownia has a chance, though the final verdict will come from the vote. “We are having discussions, and it appears that several very important countries are ready to back him in this role,” he added during a Radio Zet interview.
Diplomacy Works for Hołownia
Bartoszewski said that Poland’s diplomatic corps is actively lobbying for the chairmanship. He noted that efforts to build a coalition of support are still underway, but the likelihood has risen recently. The ministry led by Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski seeks to ensure that a Polish citizen can occupy high positions in the United Nations. “Decisions of key Security Council members can drastically influence the election outcome,” he observed.
Could He Be Ambassador to the United States?
In the same interview, Bartoszewski addressed the possibility of Hołownia becoming Poland’s ambassador to the U.S. He cautioned that the post requires considerable diplomatic experience and extensive contacts in Washington. “It is a very demanding position,” he said, citing the successful tenure of former ambassador Prof. Wilczek as an example of how varied success can be.
Approval Needed from US and Polish President
Bartoszewski added that any such appointment would require approval from both American authorities and President Karol Nawrocki. While he praised Hołownia as potentially better than current Ambassador Bogdan Klich, he emphasized that the president’s comments do not yet guarantee a nomination. The PSL politician indicated that the ambassadorial scenario is currently not under consideration.
